facemask Impacts Linked to NFL Concussion risk

⁣Updated June 10, 2025

A recent study indicates that nearly one-third of concussions ⁣in professional football ‌stem from impacts involving the ⁢facemask, a helmet component ⁢largely unchanged for a ​decade.The‍ research,presented ⁣at the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury conference,analyzed data⁤ from instrumented mouthpieces worn by NFL players.These mouthpieces measured head motion, revealing that the facemask is the ​moast frequent point of impact during high-severity collisions.

The study suggests ⁢that enhancements to facemask design ‌could significantly improve player safety and minimize the risk of injury. The NFL and NFL Players Association supported the research through Football Research, Inc.

Efforts to reduce concussions in the NFL have included helmet ⁢redesign ‍and improved play techniques. These strategies led to a 23% reduction in concussions between the 2015-2017 and ⁤2018-2019 seasons. Though, head injuries persist, with nearly all involving direct helmet contact. Reducing the severity of head impacts,irrespective of injury,remains a key goal.

Researchers used data from instrumented mouthpieces to objectively measure head ⁣impact kinematics during‍ the 2019-2022 seasons. The data, combined with player tracking and video review, created a comprehensive dataset summarizing ‍impact scenarios.

Of ‌5,104 head acceleration events recorded from 98 players, the study​ focused​ on the most severe impacts. Facemask‍ impacts accounted for 59% of these high-severity events, varying‍ by player position. Linemen experienced the highest proportion (66%),followed by hybrid players (56%) and speed players (46%).

Facemask ‍impacts among ⁣linemen were particularly prominent concerning angular⁣ head motion, a factor believed to contribute to brain injury. These impacts primarily resulted from ​contact with ​the opposing player’s helmet shell. Speed players,‌ however,‍ experienced ‌fewer facemask impacts from helmet-to-helmet contact, with​ a⁤ higher proportion ​resulting from ​shoulder‍ impacts.

“Our field has rapidly improved research tools and approaches, allowing us to produce ‍the data ‍to advance equipment, rules of ⁤the game and player technique in ways that have been shown to reduce concussion among professional athletes,” said Kristy Arbogast, PhD, scientific​ director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention and​ Co-Director of Minds Matter Concussion Programme at CHOP and first author of this study. “These findings, based on instrumented mouthpieces, suggest that facemask redesign should be the focus of future innovation that can continue to improve the ⁤safety of football players at all ⁤skill levels.”

“The complex and specific data collection from sensor technologies like instrumented mouthguards are providing a deeper understanding ​about the nature ​of​ impacts players experience on the field,” said Allen Sills, ‍MD, the NFL’s Chief Medical​ Officer.​ “This information is helping us to develop more effective‍ interventions⁢ to reduce ⁤the frequency and ​severity ⁢head impacts and keep players healthy.”

⁣ “This ​study underscores the importance of using data and ongoing⁣ research efforts to continually self-assess and innovate as our research identifies new approaches that may help make the game safer not just⁢ for our professional athletes but ultimately⁤ for how the game ⁤is played at all levels,” said Thom Mayer,MD,medical Director of the NFL Players Association.

What’s next

the NFL plans to continue‌ using data-driven research to inform player safety initiatives, focusing on equipment innovation and rule adjustments to mitigate head injuries and improve overall player well-being.