Football trainers in Chester County and across the nation are turning to helmets that include the latest in safety technologies to help prevent concussions, write Phil Anastasia, Rick O’Brien, Aaron Carter, and Dylan Purcell for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Stefan Duma, a biomedical engineering and sciences professor at Virginia Tech, and a team of researchers on football helmet safety introduced the Virginia Tech 5-star rating system for helmets six years ago. It ranks helmet safety features from “no stars” to the most-protective grade of “5-star.”
“There have been major changes in terms of helmet technology,” said Duma.
The latest helmets incorporate sensors that can be monitored from a handheld receiver. This allows coaches and training staff to measure the strength and timing of hits in real time during every practice and game.
“It almost gives you an extra pair of eyes,” said Kennett High School trainer Nick Reyes.
Local parents are also aware of helmet safety standards, and rely on the athletic department to comply with them.
“I know that the school has the resources to stay up to date and provide the safest equipment,” said Exton’s Joe Lauletta, the father of Downingtown East quarterback Bryce Lauletta.
Read more about helmet safety in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.
