Wake Forest Releases Head Impact Data From $30 Million Helmet Study

New research on youth concussions shows age matters when it comes to head trauma. The findings are part of a $30 million study from Wake Forest School of Medicine.

The “Head Impact Exposure in Youth Football” study followed nearly 100 local football players between the ages of 9-13 over four seasons. Players were divided into three groups by age and weight, and each was equipped with helmets measuring the number, location and power of blows to the head.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that overall, more than 40,000 head impacts were recorded, creating millions of data points. They showed, among other things, that players 12 and under received the most head blows. They're typically involved in longer practices and games than the group of players 11 years old and under. Another factor was their relative lack of experience and coordination with tackling techniques as compared to the older group of players.

Researchers also found that the front of the helmet received the bulk of the blows throughout the study—the same as experienced by high school and collegiate players.