The football helmets used presently by players are not adequate in protecting the head and neck perfectly. Researchers say it fails to protect if side of the head is hit, which sometimes may lead to lethal concussions and also result with brain swelling.
Researchers tested ten helmets and found all reduced the likelihood of traumatic brain injury by about 20 percent in average compared to players with no helmet. It is also reported the most effective helmet just reduced risk by 30 percent.
A study published in the Pediatrics journal in 2011 says the risk of concussion in sports is under increasing scrutiny. It says some of the deaths of young footballers may have been prevented if the head injuries were kept off the field.
In another research published last year found abnormalities in the brains of former players of National Football League compared to those players who never played the game.
The presently used helmets were tested based on the impacts leading to broken skulls and not the chances of traumatic brain injury.
Study author John Lloyd said none of the helmets tested are fantastic and probably if the players realized the helmet reduces the concussion risk by only 20 to 30 percnet, they would not lead with the head often. He is the research director at the San Antonio, Florida-based Brains Inc.
Footballs, so far, is the deadliest sport among the youths and about 12 percent of the deaths in the game are caused by neck or head injuries.
