Think football helmets protect players’ brains against hits from all angles?
Think again.
A study released Monday found that the most commonly used helmets might offer little protection from hits to the side of the head, also known as rotational force.
These types of hits are often the cause of brain injury, according to the study from the American Academy of Neurology.
Researchers used crash test dummy heads and necks to measure the impact of 10 of the most popular helmet models.
The study found that the helmets reduced the risk of traumatic brain injury by only 20 percent compared to not wearing a helmet.
On a more positive note, the researchers found that football helmets reduced the risk of skull fractures by 60 to 70 percent and brain tissue bruising by 70 to 80 percent.
The researchers concluded the Riddell 360 provided the most protection against closed-head injury of all the helmets tested.
“Protection against concussion and complications of brain injury is especially important for young players, including elementary and middle school, high school and college athletes, whose still-developing brains are more susceptible to the lasting effects of trauma,” study co-author Dr. Frank Conidi said in a news release.
He is director of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology and assistant clinical professor of Neurology at the Florida State University College of Medicine in Port Saint Lucie.
Conidi also is the vice chair of the American Academy of Neurology’s Sports Neurology Section.
“Biomechanics researchers have long understood that rotational forces, not linear forces, are responsible for serious brain damage including concussion, brain injury complications and brain bleeds,” he said.
“Yet generations of football and other sports participants have been under the assumption that their brains are protected by their investment in headwear protection.”
Heart health event
Affinity Medical Center is hosting a Listen to Your Heart event for the community from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 25.
The free event will take place at the lobby and Conference Room No. 1 of the hospital, at 875 Eighth St. NE, Massillon.
Free blood pressure checks, heart health risk assessments, interactive displays and heart-healthy refreshments will be available.
A presentation about risk factors and early warning signs of a heart attack will take place at 2 p.m.
For more information, call 330-837-6887.
Avoiding rehospitalization
Each year, about 20 percent of Medicare patients who are hospitalized end up readmitted within a month.
Although some hospital stays are unavoidable, Dr. Barry Malinowski, medical director for Anthem, provided these tips in a news release to help rehospitalization:
• Understand discharge directions; enlist family members to help, if needed.
• Fill prescriptions and take them as prescribed.
• Get follow-up care with a primary-care doctor.
• Eat properly. Contact a doctor if pain, nausea, inability to swallow or other problems are making eating too difficult.
• Take advantage of programs from insurance companies that are there to help plan a safe return trip home.
• Know symptoms that require immediate attention and take action.
• Look into available resources — including www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov — to research hospital quality and readmission rates before selecting where to get care, whenever possible.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/CherylPowellABJ.