Citation

Pieter W, O'Sullivan D, Fife G. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(7): 652.

Affiliation

Keimyung University, Daegu, South, Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.246

PMID

24620287

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Only one study reported the impact attenuation of taekwondo headgear. Although Olympic boxing has discontinued the use of head protectors, similarities in designs are suggested to provide a framework for improving taekwondo helmets as a previous report determined poor testing results. OBJECTIVE: To assess attenuation of taekwondo and boxing headgear. DESIGN: Between-groups. SETTING: Impact biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Helmets approved by the World Taekwondo Federation and those by the International Boxing Association. RISK FACTOR ASSESSEMENT: A standardized (ASTM F-2397) martial arts headgear striker was used to impart impacts to a 50(th) Percentile Male Hybrid III Dummy (Hybrid III) head and neck complex. All impacts were imparted with a terminal striking velocity of 5.0 m/s (max-min=5.15-4.75 m/s). Each headgear model (boxing: Adidas and Green Hills; taekwondo: Adidas and Nike) were fitted to the Hybrid III and impacted a total of 60 times to the left side of the headgear. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Resultant linear acceleration (RLA). RESULTS: There was a significant difference in RLA between helmets (eta(2)=0.963, 95% CI: 0.881-0.987). Pairwise comparisons showed differences between the taekwondo Nike (129.48±8.18g) and boxing Green Hills helmets (109.48±10.11g) (d=2.19, 95% CI: -4.98-11.05). The boxing Adidas helmet (75.42±9.99g) recorded a higher RLA than its taekwondo counterpart (d=2.09, 95% CI: -6.67-5.82). CONCLUSIONS: Both boxing and taekwondo helmets have a limited lifespan.

Language: en