SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1993
STP13136S

The Effectiveness of Hockey Helmets in Limiting Localized Loading on the Head

Source

The ability of hockey helmets to limit localized pressure was examined by mounting selected samples of Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified helmets onto a humanoid headform and subjecting them to single puck impacts to the left temporal area at three different velocities. The peak pressure on the headform was determined from Fuji pressure-sensitive film that was applied to the headform before impact. Peak headform acceleration and the severity index (SI) were also measured. For five of the six helmet models, the peak pressure was less than 15.0 MPa at 27.8 m/s, less than 16.0 MPa at 33.4 m/s, and less than 25.0 MPa at 38.9 m/s. In the remaining model, the largest peak pressure was 27.8 MPa at 38.9 m/s. None of the helmets tested was able to limit the localized pressure on the headform to below 3.1 MPa, the reported fracture tolerance of the temporoparietal area of the human skull. Peak headform accelerations were at or below 250 g for all helmets at 27.8 and 33.4 m/s, but exceeded 275 g in four models at 38.9 m/s. SI values were all less than 800, indicating a concussive head injury risk of less than 2 to 5%. The SI and peak g measures were not useful for determining the focal injury risk caused by puck impacts, suggesting that additional test procedures should be included in future certification standards.

Author Information

Bishop, PJ
Biomechanics Impact Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Arnold, J
Biomechanics Impact Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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Details
Developed by Committee: F08
Pages: 175–182
DOI: 10.1520/STP13136S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5256-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1873-7