TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Assessing the validity of a helmet fit checklist in a sample of youth football players
JO  - Research in sports medicine
A1  - Lininger, M. R.
A1  - Yeargin, S. W.
A1  - Hirschhorn, R. M.
A1  - Mensch, J.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - The dynamics of American youth football make it critical to ensure that helmets are appropriately fit to decrease the risk of injuries. Currently, there is only one researcher-developed checklist to determine helmet fit, and psychometric testing is lacking; therefore, the aim of this work was to determine the validity of the checklist. The 13-item checklist was used to measure helmet fit in 267 youth football players prior to the start of the season. Using a Principal Components Analysis to assess validity, a 5-component model was found explaining 58% of the available variance. These results suggest that a single, summative score should not be used for this checklist; rather five scores should be calculated for each component (stability, snugness, size, integrity, and accessory). A more practical and valid tool to assess fit, such as a sub-sectioned chronological American football-specific checklist, can better assist coaches/administrators responsible for helmet fit and player safety.    Keywords: American football <p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1543-8627
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2021.1988949
ID  - ref1
ER  -