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There are studies that show that the hard helmets in American football are actually less protective than the old leather helmets. The hard plastic transmits th
by JohnJamesRambo 8y ago
There are studies that show that the hard helmets in American football are actually less protective than the old leather helmets. The hard plastic transmits the forces better in a fast impulse, the exact opposite of what you want. They have been designed to prevent a skull getting crushed but that isn’t a problem in football. Bad engineering and bad science perpetuated and now the hard helmet is such a macho symbol of the nfl they will never change it.
- mbesto 8y agoThe big difference is that rugby players actively protect their head as part of their play, whereas american football players have a perceived notion that the helmet is providing all of the support. I wouldn't be surprised if there are studies out there that show that Rugby players have less issues.
- freewilly1040 8y agoI have to think you’ll still get quite a number of blows to the head over the course of a rugby career though. Maybe not worse than football but possibly still enough to reliably cause brain damage