We all know football is an intense game, so coaches are always looking for a way to reduce the risk of injury in training.
“We need to do whatever it takes to make it safer for our children to play,” said Lebanese football coach Will Christian.
Many teams have taken this step, including the Chiefs, Missouri State Bears and many area high schools, but what are they using to protect their heads.
“It’s the Guardian cap. Something that helps reduce head licking,” said Nixa football coach John Perry.
Kind of like an offense, for them it’s not just on the surface.
“Placing a special type of foam on the helmet can help reduce the impact a player experiences when being hit,” said Dr. Cox, Director of Health, Cox Sports Medicine. Shannon Woods.
Perry has had his team wear them for nearly a decade.
“I really didn’t believe it would reduce concussions, but I’ve been convinced since then that it does reduce concussions,” he said.
Early data doesn’t specify that they prevent concussions, but Guardian Caps can reduce the likelihood of head injuries.
“These data are what we call ‘in vitro data,’ and they used data to suggest that using the Guardian Cap might reduce head impacts by 10 or 20 percent,” Dr. Dr. said. trees.
That’s NFL-driven stats, and there’s enough stats for the Lebanese Yellow Jackets to get Guardian Caps for their team this season.
“Number one, just to keep our kids safer in practice. Number two, I think putting us in a position where we can keep our kids healthy. I don’t think they’ll completely prevent concussions, but they’re definitely a key help,” Christian said.
Players can also feel the difference.
“It’s softer, lighter, and you don’t feel almost zero vibration,” said Lebanese senior Kaleb Nail.
Now, teams wear them to practice.
“When they took off on Friday night, that double-edged sword changed the face of there,” Christian said.
PhD. We’re probably decades away from independent research on the cap, Woods said, but “I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Dr. trees. “I think we’re still collecting data and doing what we can to protect people, and I think we’re going to see that going forward.”
Both Christian and Perry said they would be willing to wear Guardian Caps in future games if allowed.
Lebanon had been talking about getting Guardian Caps, but had to raise enough money to buy them for the entire team, Christian said.