What is a Concussion & How Does it Occur?
". . .it has been shown that after a player has suffered an initial cerebral concussion, the chances of incurring a second concussion may be as much as 4 times higher than the individual who has never incurred a cerebral concussion" (Cantu, 1992, p. 68).
The term concussion traces its history back centuries, signifying a shaking or violent agitation. Around 415 B.C., the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates incorporated the term into his medical writings, associating it with the idea that any forceful impact causing the brain to shake would result in an instantaneous loss of voice, known today as unconsciousness.
More recently, the Mayo Clinic (2024) has defined a concussion as a type of traumatic brain injury impacting brain function, affecting millions of Americans each year. Currently, two primary classifications of brain injury exist: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The differences between them are significant. Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is defined by the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine (1993) as one that resulted from a blow to the head causing any alteration of mental status with the following criteria: (1) loss of consciousness not exceeding 30 minutes, (2) after 30 minutes an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 to 15, and (3) post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) not lasting longer than 24 hours.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023) describes a Traumatic brain injury (TBI) as an interruption in the regular functioning of the brain resulting from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury. This may result in long-term or lifelong health issues that can impact various aspects of a person’s life.
No one can explain why a concussion makes you lose consciousness, but science can identify some factors. If these factors are not controlled, they consistently lead to situations where unconsciousness or further concussive damage may occur. There are two accelerative forces, straight (linear) and spinning (rotational), with each one causing a specific type of concussion (impact or impulse).
The design of the Warrior Tough helmet aims to minimize mTBI which is more commonly associated with combat sports where the helmet would be used. TBI concussions result from situations of extreme force like automobile accidents which are outside the scope of this helmets design.
Warrior Tough Concussion Counterpunch Helmet
With the Concussion Counterpunch helmet the first line of defense is padding which absorbs force as it compresses. The second line of defense is bracing which sets the helmet on the shoulders and takes place ideally, before the punch makes contact with the helmet. The third line of defense is the energy transfer that takes place because the helmet is braced. The fourth line of defense is linking the mass of the head to the mass of the torso achieved through bracing which makes it more difficult for kinetic forces to jar, shake, or concuss the brain. The padding supports and reinforces the neck to reduce trauma and soft tissue injuries.
“For example, if the head is not mobile or is in contact with another surface or object, the kinetic energy transferred via the blow will simply flow through it and be transmitted elsewhere leaving the brain unharmed and its function intact" (Shaw, 2002, p. 287).
