SOCCER HEADBANDS – PILOT IMPACT TESTING

Purpose:
This report summarizes the results of preliminary testing to determine the impact absorption performance characteristics of prototype headbands for soccer.

Method:
The independent measure of interest was peak G (i.e. impact deceleration). The dependent variable of impact velocity and energy were held constant at 1.9 m/s and 9.2 J, respectively. An ISO headform (size L ~ medium adult) with triaxial accelerometer (Kistler) mounted at the approximate center of mass was dropped by means of a bi-rail basket guide (similar to CEN 960 for ice hockey) from a height of 30 cm (see figure 1).

Ten initial tests were conducted without any headbands mounted to provide baseline measures. Three impact per sample were conducted with approximately 30 seconds between impacts. The initial ten impacts without headbands produced peak G values of 652.4 G’s.

With the new patented headbands introduced, impact absorption (i.e. the ratio between no head band versus with headband) demonstrated values up to 83% (average of three impacts).

Test Protocol:
ASTM F 1446-04
The impact test apparatus complied with ASTM F 2220-02.
Drop height: 40.6 inches
Impact velocity: 4.41-4.59 m/s
Impact Surface: MEP Pad-N594
ANSI/DOT Headform size: C
Steel flat anvil except for (*) triangular anvil with batter’s helmet.