New Specification Represents Consensus Between Medicine, Biomechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Consumer Advocacy
SAN DIEGO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Full90 Sports Inc. (www.full90.com), the world's largest provider of soccer headgear, today welcomed the official establishment of the first soccer headgear standard. The new standard was developed and implemented by ASTM International, one of the largest and most respected standards development bodies in the world and the driving force behind similar initiatives for headgear in football, cycling and other sports. The soccer standard represents the consensus between experts in medicine, biomechanical engineering, manufacturing, and consumer advocacy. The standard defines requirements for coverage, labeling, and laboratory test performance. The manufacturer of a product that satisfies all of the requirements of the standard is allowed to reference this standard on the product.
"We've been waiting for this decision for a long time, and we're proud to announce that our products meet every specification in the new standard," said Jeff Skeen, Founder and CEO of Full90 Sports, who has worked for more than 20 years in the field of preventive headgear for athletes. "In every sport -- cycling, football, equestrian -- it took time for changes to become generally accepted, and the first ruling always marked a significant milestone. I believe this decision will have the same effect on soccer, the world's most popular sport."
The standard is expected to help settle the dispute over which particular form of headgear best protects soccer players from head injuries. Although there's still no mandate among soccer associations, this standard potentially affects every player, from children to league professionals.
Several independent studies have shown that head injuries, particularly concussions, have become a significant issue in soccer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors treat more than 200,000 children a year for soccer-related injuries, including concussions. A recent independent study by Scott Delaney of Canada's McGill University in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that the rate of head injuries for soccer players was similar to the rate for football players. Another study funded by FIFA, the ruling committee of International soccer, indicated that Full90 Soccer headgear reduces the forces that cause concussions.
ASTM International, a not-for-profit organization, provides a forum for producers, users, consumers, academics and government representatives to collaborate on standards for materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM International includes more than 130 standards-writing technical committees comprising over 30,000 members, and publishes more than 11,000 active standards. A standard for soccer headgear has been in development at ASTM International since 1999.
About Full90 Sports, Inc.
Full90 Sports, Inc. develops state-of-the-art protective soccer equipment specifically designed to allow athletes of all ages to perform at their full capacity. Full90 Sports pioneered a new product category with their flagship product, the F90 Performance Headguard™. The headguards provide players a heightened level of protection by significantly reducing the impact force associated with hard surface contact, without affecting style of play or "ball feel". Full90 headguards are designed using Performance Protection Technology™, a development process which combines applied physics, engineering and design with a deep appreciation for the heart and soul of an athlete, as well as an absolute respect for the game they play. More information is available at www.full90.com.
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