Do Guardian Caps reduce concussions?Updated 2 months ago

No helmet, practice apparatus, or helmet pad can prevent or eliminate the risk of concussions or other serious head injuries while playing sports. Researchers have not reached an agreement on how the results of impact absorption tests relate to concussions. No conclusions about a reduction of risk or severity of concussive injury should be drawn from impact absorption tests. Guardian has always stood by the fact that Guardian Caps reduce the impact of hits and that its use should be one piece of the puzzle to an overall safety strategy.

The NFL has mandated the use of Guardian Caps since the 2022 preseason. The league reported a 52% reduction in concussions for those positions during the mandated period versus the previous three-year average. Additionally, due to the efficacy of the Guardian Cap in practice, the NFL has now permitted players to wear the Guardian Cap, if they so choose, during games for the 2024-2025 season.

The National Football League (NFL) announced its injury data for the 2024 preseason, including the fewest concussions in a full preseason. We are proud of the role Guardian Caps played in this success. Key results include:

The fewest number of concussions in practices and games (44) since tracking began in 2015
A nearly 50% reduction in concussions among players wearing the Guardian Cap in mandated sessions vs. the pre-mandate average

Allen Sills, NFL Chief Medical Officer, stated in response to this data “while there is no finish line in our efforts to make the game safer, the injury data from this preseason is an example of how the league’s deliberate approach to player safety continues to deliver results. We’re committed to building a culture of safety around the game, and this preseason was another positive step in that direction.”

The decrease in preseason concussions to a historic low resulted from the long-term, holistic approach to concussion reduction efforts. The strategy includes rule changes, research into a better understanding of concussion-causing events, education related to proper technique, improved helmet safety, and the expansion of the Guardian Cap mandate. The 44 concussions represent a decrease of 24% from 2023 and fewer than half the number of 91 in 2017.

For more information, read the full article HERE.

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