Monday, July 28, 2014
Although the
World Cup brought a beacon of light to an otherwise dull period in the year of a sports fan, now that a champion has been crowned we are back to that awkward limbo between NBA playoff withdrawal and baseball season fatigue. During this time we look to the NFL and anxiously await any news coming out of training camps and OTAs (organized team activities), hoping that fall will be here soon.
One of the reoccurring themes that seems to be picking up steam with each NFL off-season is the campaign to protect the safety of the league?s players. Between making changes to the
kickoff rules and
attempting settlements for retired players who have suffered from injuries, the NFL is trying to change the potential effect that concussions could have on the popularity of the game.
Ever since the unfortunate passing of former Charger?s linebacker
Junior Seau in 2012, the league and its fans have become more and more aware of the lasting effects of severe concussions. Although regulations have been passed to try and
address the actions that cause these injuries,
technology is stepping up to play a huge part in assessing the trauma after the big hits.
This ?smart helmet? from Riddell is designed to alert sideline trainers when a hit is especially hard. Although it can?t diagnose the exact damage that was done, it is lauded as a much safer version of the head gear that the players currently wear.
Focusing on a similar strategy, the FITGuard Mouth Guard incorporates sensors that detect the strength of the hit and prevent concussions from going undiagnosed.
Named the
Best of Innovation for the Health and Fitness category at the 2014 International CES, the Reebok Checklight uses green, yellow and red lights to indicate how forceful an impact is to the head.
Football is America?s most popular sport, and most people scoff at the notion that this would ever change. But if the intensity of the injuries that the athletes endure is causing the league to burn through its players at an alarming rate, then the sport could suffer from a serious decline in interest and youth participation. Innovative technology has the opportunity and the ability to protect the players we cheer for without changing the game we love.
Check out more innovative sports technology at the Sports Tech Marketplace at the 2015 International CES.