Technologies
Pellman et al. (2006) investigated the performance of new NFL helmets under impact. Two kinds of impactors were used, pendulum and linear pneumatic. It was shown that newer design improved the absorption of impact energy during normal conditions in a football match. However, better designs are still needed to overcome what is called the elite impact condition, normally at speeds above 11.2 m/s. Sensors have been implemented, as shown below, to measure real time impacts during college football matches. The collected data may help understand when concussions occur. Accelerometers have been used as sensors in these studies.
Accelerometers used inside a football helmet to measure hit accelerations during college football matches (from www.spectrum.ieee.org/October 2007).
