Modern versus vintage helmets

A recent study that compared the protection offered by old-fashioned "leatherhead" football helmets and state-of-the-art modern ones had some surprising discoveries.

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic conducted impact tests on two leatherhead helmets and 11 different modern helmets to analyze the impact of hits that are common in football games and practices. Surprisingly, they found that the older helmets often provided similar or better head protection than today's polycarbonate helmets.

"The point of this study is not to advocate for a return to leather helmets but, rather, to test the notion that modern helmets must be more protective than older helmets simply because 'newer must be better,'" said lead researcher Dr. Adam Bartsch.

Researchers note that modern helmet safety standards are based solely on the risk of severe skull fracture and catastrophic brain injury, not concussion risk. They say their findings suggest that helmet testing should focus on both low- and high-energy impacts, not solely on potentially catastrophic high-energy impacts in order to keep athletes safer.

Used football equipment, including helmets, provides adequate protection when fitted properly.

When purchasing a used helmet, athletes and their parents should look for the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) seal, which shows that the manufacturer has met the standards at the time the helmet was made.