How Helmets Work
Football helmets were introduced into the sport of football just under a century ago, to prevent the risk of injury. These helmets have evolved a long way to becoming as protective as they are today... Today's helmet is composed of a hard plastic polycarbonate shell, with thick internal foam padding on the inside. Each helmet also has a chin strap, that holds the chin and head tight into the helmet, and a face mask that varies depending on position for different vision and protection purposes.
Football helmets, (other than skiing helmets, bike helmets etc...) use a "suspension" system designed for repeated hits. Other helmets for most other sports, use a more "sacrificial" helmet design, that is designed for one time hits. This type of design for a football helmet helps as it prevents the helmet from needing to be replaced as frequently.
Football helmets, (other than skiing helmets, bike helmets etc...) use a "suspension" system designed for repeated hits. Other helmets for most other sports, use a more "sacrificial" helmet design, that is designed for one time hits. This type of design for a football helmet helps as it prevents the helmet from needing to be replaced as frequently.
What they do to Protect
Football helmets do a few different things to protect the player's head from impact forces found on the football field. The first thing it does, is absorb shock. The cushions found on the inside of a football helmet help absorb as much force and shock delivered in the impact as possible, and minimize the shock the head actually takes. Without this part of the helmet, the head would have to take 100% of the impact delivered, creating a much higher risk for injury.
Another thing about the helmet that helps protect player's from injury, is the rounded shape. The rounded shape helps deflect forces off of the player's helmet, and actually bounce the forces in other directions, rather than impacting the player's head. Thanks to the rounded shape of the helmet, and the padded cushion on the inside, the player's will have fewer impacts going directly to their head, and the cushion will absorb some of the contact; giving the head a chance and decreasing risk of injury.
Take a look at this clip for more on the dangers of head to head contact, and what helmets do to protect!
Another thing about the helmet that helps protect player's from injury, is the rounded shape. The rounded shape helps deflect forces off of the player's helmet, and actually bounce the forces in other directions, rather than impacting the player's head. Thanks to the rounded shape of the helmet, and the padded cushion on the inside, the player's will have fewer impacts going directly to their head, and the cushion will absorb some of the contact; giving the head a chance and decreasing risk of injury.
Take a look at this clip for more on the dangers of head to head contact, and what helmets do to protect!