Digital Technology in American Football

DIGITAL HEALTH IN AMERICAN FOOTBALL

New helmets, data-gathering sensors, and a turf testing machine called the BEAST are making the game safer for NFL (National Football League) players. NFL and its partners. For example, Amazon Web Service (AWS) is collecting more data. By analyzing the data, conclusions can be drawn about the causes of various injuries, thus preventing them and keeping players safer.

PROJECT:

HELMET TESTING

Each season, NFL players select a new helmet from the helmet safety list. Better-performance helmets have contributed to a sustained reduction of concussions by 25% in each of the last four seasons. Last season, the number of concussions was at an all-time low. The League’s work on innovative helmets doesn’t stop there, in the pursuit of safer protective equipment for players, the NFL hosts innovative challenges, including the NFL Helmet Challenge. The organization is also helping to drive the development of position-adjusted helmets and advances in customized helmets using new technologies such as 3D printing to continue the advancement of helmet safety and innovation.

CRASH CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

Crash Cloud technology is a combination of materials and designs that aim to provide enhanced impact protection in various products, such as helmets, protective gear, and sports equipment. The technology is designed to reduce the amount of force transmitted to the head, body, or other areas during impact. The specific design and materials used in Windpact’s Crash Cloud technology vary depending on the application and product. The most important thing about Crash Cloud is the foam. Crash Cloud can intelligently adapt to the level of the strike and solve a wide range of strikes, from linear strikes to rotational strikes. The unique combination of controlled airflow and lightweight open-cell foams reduces weight and size. Moreover creates an energy absorption system that provides excellent impact protection without restriction. It is modular and can take any shape, size, or texture depending on the application.

One of the patent drawings (left) for the Crash Cloud technology shows three-dimensional rendering of the padding. The Windpact logo appears on the top. Shawn Springs (right) demonstartes how Crash Cloud works by squeezing the padding between his fingers.

HEADHEALTH TECH CHALLANGES & THE NFL HELMET CHALLENGE

HEADHEALTH TECH CHALLENGES

Made by the National Football League (NFL) and Football Research, Inc. (FRI) have partnered with Duke University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Duke CTSI). The aim is to deepen and improve the quality e.g. in the assessment of head protection, material science, and kinematic measurements. That’s why the HeadHealthTECH Challenge series is part of the Engineering Roadmap, and the goal is to better understand the biomechanics of the head during injuries in American football. It is also an incentive for small enterprises, and universities to try to create better, more modern protective equipment. NFL and FRI will give a $ 1,6mln grant to help with the development of 13 new technology.

NFL HELMET CHALLENGES

NFL Helmet Challenges have the task based on specific laboratory tests to create a new helmet for NFL players that will be better than those currently in use. NFL and Football Research, Inc. (FRI) awarded a $1.37 million HeadHealthTECH grant to four teams of innovators to support the creation of their helmet prototypes to is entered into the ongoing NFL Helmet Challenge. The challenge is to create a helmet based on laboratory tests that will be an improved version of those currently used The judging panel combines expertise in engineering, biomechanics, neuroscience, and sports business, and includes two NFL legends and an NFL equipment manager.

shown how tests are carried out when checking equipments.

In addition to the visual assessment, the cash register will also undergo laboratory tests to check whether it meets the Helmet Performance Score (HPS) requirements. Lab testing conditions are designed to represent potentially concussive head strikes in the NFL, and this is the same process used annually to rank helmets by performance to inform players and club medical, training, coaching, and equipment personnel about the best helmets on the market today.

THE BEAST

In a Charlottesville, VA biomechanics lab, there is a unique shoe-testing machine called the “Biocore Elite Athlete Shoe Turf Tester,” or for short: “The Beast.” Through analysis, 60% of all injuries in the NFL are lower extremity injuries. During the tests, three aspects of the shoes are checked: traction behavior, flexion behavior, and how well they fit the foot. Traction is tested with The Beast machine. Tests how much force and torque are needed to release the shoe from different types of surfaces. The Beast machine is testing traction by looking into how much force and torque are needed to release the shoe from different types of surfaces. “The FAST” device checks the flexion of the shoe, and the results of those tests are shared with NFL players, club equipment managers, and club medical, training, and coaching staff to assist in equipment selection. The NFL is also using new technology to help players choose the right shoe size and shape. An example of such technology is HP FitStation technology is now being installed in all 32 NFL locker rooms to scan players’ feet and identify the shoe models and sizes that best fit them.

HP FITSTATION

HP offered a three-module system with a 3D scanner, pressure plate, and use-only software that was quick and easy to run in the next locker room. The system on the pressure plate scans the player’s foot and gait measurement. As a result, the system gives the width, length, and arc length of each foot and height, and categorizes the gait. Based on this information, the system automatically ranks the best cleats from three manufacturers - Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor - that best fit your feet only.

THE DIGITAL ATHLETES

The NFL is partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to use Artificial Intelligent (AI) and machine learning to build a Digital Athlete. It is a virtual representation of an NFL player that can predict and prevent injuries. Digital Athlete applies data such as player activity, equipment selection, speed, weather and countless hours of video to better understand injuries. The Digital Athlete algorithm can test different simulations. How a different helmet affects a rider. What if the weather was different? Digital Athlete will help the NFL conduct injury risk analysis and evaluate additional player safety initiatives, including equipment, rule changes and coaching techniques.

DATA COLLECING

The NFL is partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to use Artificial Intelligent (AI) and machine learning to build a Digital Athlete. It is a virtual representation of an NFL player that can predict and prevent injuries. Digital Athlete applies data such as player activity, equipment selection, speed, weather, and countless hours of video to better understand injuries. The Digital Athlete algorithm can test different simulations. How a different helmet affects a rider. What if the weather was different? Digital Athlete will help the NFL conduct injury risk analysis and evaluate additional player safety initiatives, including equipment, rule changes, and coaching techniques.

*2020 was markedly from other seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no preseason games in 2020. ** The NFL season structure changed in 2021 and 2022 and include 3 preseason games and 17 regular season games. Prior to 2021, the NFL season included 4 preseason games and 16 regular season games. Data as of 07 September 2022. Injuries reported during conditioning, weight lifting, run session, or individual training, as well as chronic injuries or those with insidious or unknown onset, are not included.

*2020 was markedly from other seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no preseason games in 2020. **The NFL season structure changed in 2021 and 2022 and include 3 preseason games and 17 regular season games. Prior to 2021, the NFL season included 4 preseason games and 16 regular season games. Data as of 07 September 2022. Includes ACL tears reported as primary, secondary, or tertiary. A single event may result in both an ACL tear and an MCL tear; in this analysis, those injuries are counted in both the ACL and MCL tabbies. An ACL tear that occurred during conditioning in 2015 is excluded from this table.</sub>

*2020 was markedly from other seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no preseason games in 2020.
**The NFL season structure changed in 2021 and 2022 and include 3 preseason games and 17 regular season games. Prior to 2021, the NFL season included 4 preseason games and 16 regular season games. Data as of 07 September 2022. 2015-2022 includes injuries that resulted in removal from participation and inability to return to play or take full part in future football activities following the injury. Includes MCL tears reported as primary, secondary, or tertiary. A single event may result in both an ACL tear and an MCL tear; in this analysis, those injuries are counted in both the ACL and MCL tabbies. An MCL tear that occurred during conditioning in 2015 is excluded from this table.

SOURCES: