Once we understand the seriousness of concussions and the wide range of factors that contribute to their occurrence, it is clear that prevention is key. How we react to and treat an injury can be vitally important to recovery, but we need to take steps from keeping the injuries from happening in the first place. As discussed in the other articles in this section, better officiating, better training, and better equipment will help to some extent, but situations that lead to concussions can not be avoided all together. Research shows Full90 Performance Headguards reduce impact force by up to 50%, therefore decreasing the occurrence and severity of soccer concussions.
It has been shown that nearly all concussive impacts happen within a two inch band circling the head at the forehead, temples, and occipital bulge. This is the area Full90 headguards are designed to protect using advanced ergonomic engineering with applied biomechanics research to ensure that the headguard conforms naturally to the players head. Due to this advanced design Full90 headguards don't alter a player's style of play or the "ball feel".
While reducing impact force can not prevent all concussions, a recent study found that college players NOT wearing a Full90 Performance Headguard™ were 2.65 times more likely to receive a concussion than players that did.
The F90 Performance Headguards comply with FIFA, US Soccer and NFHS regulations and also satisfy the ASTM soccer headgear standard.
It seems clear that one of the most promising ways to reduce the number and severity of concussions in soccer is to protect the head from the impact forces that cause the concussions. All of the available evidence points in this direction.
