Technology has solved so many of our problems, except, it seems, when it comes to football safety.
High school and college players might be better off wearing leather helmets on the field, rather than the high-tech models used today. That's the "really surprising" conclusion of a new study by the Cleveland Clinic.
Reuters reports scientists have found that most of the blows taken by the modern polycarbonate helmets are no better at cutting down on injury than the old school leather helmets of a century ago. Even more stunning, some of the research indicated that the old helmets were slightly better at protecting kids.
Scientists are not recommending leather helmets return to pro football. However, they would like helmet manufacturers to take a second look at the design of helmets -- most importantly at the youth level.
The study was published online in the Journal of Neurosurgery. Lead researcher Adam Bartsh reported youth helmets are not designed for the regular hits that happen on normal basis in pee wee football, but are designed to take high-impact hits you'd see in the NFL. Those hits obviously don't happen in neighborhood leagues.
Researchers say the lack of specific youth helmet standards may endanger brain health for the three million kids that take part in tackle football across America each year.
Reuters reports that emergency room visits by children and adolescents for brain injuries jumped 60 percent between 2001 and 2009, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
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This is how the modern football helmet is made these days. |
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