Concussion preventative head-gear in contact sports

Abstract

This thesis explores the concussion preventative head-gear used in four contact sports: football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. The most effective head-gear from each sport is presented along with the reasons behind their success. Football and baseball organizations have regulations set in place for players to be required to wear helmets, while soccer and basketball organizations do not require players to wear any sort of head-gear. This thesis presents the reasons why soccer and basketball organizations do not require players to wear head-gear, but it also shows the equipment that have been used by players in the past to prevent further head injuries. This paper includes a personal anecdote as well as a recommendation for soccer organizations to require head-gear during competition and for basketball organizations to fund research into protective equipment specific to basketball players.