Evaluation of Helmet Technology and Head Impact Exposure

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to monitor longitudinal changes in brain structure and function between the preseason and postseason, in a population of football playing athletes grouped by helmet make and model. Secondly, the purpose is to determine the protection of the helmet make and model relative to amount and magnitude of sustained head impacts.

Detailed Description
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Sports-related traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is common in competitive sports and recreational activities, with 1.6 to 3.8 million reported annually in the U.S. Children, adolescents and young adults are at the highest risk for sustaining mild TBI. There is scarce high-level prospective, objective evidence indicating that any recent helmet design can prevent sTBI. While helmets were developed for, and are effective in, preventing skull fractures and intracranial hematomas, it is unclear if they afford protection against forces inside the cranium. This study will investigate the relationship between potential changes in brain structure and function pre and post season compared to helmet make and model and head impact exposure in high school and college athletes playing a collision sport such as football. The use of helmets/headgear during such a high-risk sport will allow for collision measurement devices to be affixed to the athlete under the helmet and will not affect play or fit of equipment. By the nature of the sport selected, it is likely this study will primarily include males, however if any female meets inclusion criteria on the team selected, the participant will be included in this investigation. All participants will be outfitted with an accelerometer which will measure the magnitude of every impact to the head sustained by the athlete. Effectiveness of the helmet model will be determined via differences in longitudinal brain imaging and functional testing following competitive football participation. A subset of athletes who report a diagnosed concussion will also receive additional brain neuroanatomical and neurophysiological testing within a week following the diagnosed concussive event. The investigators will also enroll a group of athletes involved in a non-contact sport (such as cross country) to act as controls.

Official Title
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Evaluation of Helmet Technology and Head Impact Exposure

Conditions
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MTBI - Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Concussion, Mild

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Helmet Model


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Normal healthy volunteer Able to provide written consent Must be 13 years or older and a participant on a high school or collegiate team Exclusion Criteria: Unable to provide written consent Not medically cleared to participate on a high school or collegiate team

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 13 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: single group of football athletes
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Helmet type<br>football player helmet model | Other: Helmet Model<br>* helmet model worn by football players<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in brain DTI | change in DTI scan of the brain from pre to post season scans targeting specific regions of interest | 6 months |