ASSESSING THE IMPACT REDUCTION CAPABILITIES OF GAMEBREAKER SOFTSHELL HEADGEAR IN DROP TESTS

Authors

Annette G. Heward-Swale, University of CanterburyFollow
George Stilwell, University of CanterburyFollow
Nick Draper, University of CanterburyFollow
Natalia Kabaliuk, University of CanterburyFollow

Category

Injury

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Softshell headgear is marketed to reduce head impact intensity in contact sports like rugby; however, evidence supporting this remains limited. This study investigated whether selected headgear models, GameBreaker-Pro, a novel GameBreaker-Prototype and a World Rugby (WR) Law 4 approved headgear, attenuate impact intensity under controlled drop test conditions. Peak linear acceleration (PLA), peak rotational acceleration (PRA), and peak rotational velocity (PRV) were measured on a Hybrid III headform fitted with this headgear. Drop tests were conducted from 15-60 cm at five head impact orientations. All headgear reduced impact kinematics relative to the bare headform. GameBreaker headgear achieved 14-22% greater reductions in impact measures compared to WR Law 4 headgear. The findings demonstrate the potential of headgear to attenuate head impact measures, crucial in reducing the risk of head injury.

Recommended Citation

Heward-Swale, Annette G.; Stilwell, George; Draper, Nick; and Kabaliuk, Natalia (2025) "ASSESSING THE IMPACT REDUCTION CAPABILITIES OF GAMEBREAKER SOFTSHELL HEADGEAR IN DROP TESTS," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 43: Iss. 1, Article 33.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol43/iss1/33