Study Finds That Using Headgear May Reduce Concussion Risk in Lacrosse Players

Despite lacrosse being a noncontact sport, head impacts and incidental concussions are common occurrences during games. The noncontact sports rules also seep into the mandated protective equipment allowed for girls’ lacrosse, which is limited to eyewear and mouthguards.

Girls’ lacrosse has increasingly grown in popularity this past decade, with figures showing that prior to the pandemic, its adoption in America grew by more than 50%.

While the use of soft-shell headgear has been permitted in the game since 2017, using headgear is still a bone of contention in a number of states. Critics have even argued that the use of headgear causes more aggressive behaviors during match play, which in turn contributes to increased risk of injury.

However, a new study has found that wearing headgear may reduce the risk of concussions among high school lacrosse players. For the study, researchers compared the rates of concussion among high school girls’ lacrosse players in Florida where the use of headgear is mandatory, with concussion rates in states that didn’t have a headgear mandate for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons. The scientists used data obtained from the High School National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network.

The researchers found that during the period, 116 concussions occurred in seasons where headgear wasn’t worn, which is a high figure, in comparison to the 25 concussions recorded in seasons where headgear was mandated.

The researchers stated that overall, the concussion injury rate was higher among the group that hadn’t mandated the use of headgear, as compared to those with a mandate. They explained that while the concussion rate was higher during matches than during practice for both groups, a 74% greater incidence of concussion was observed during matches that involved players with no headgear.

In their report, the researchers noted that the rate of concussions in states in America where protective headgear was mandatory for lacrosse players was lower in comparison to states where it wasn’t mandatory. They added that the study’s results were encouraging for athlete safety in high school girls’ lacrosse. In addition to this, the researchers highlighted the importance of wearing protective headgear for high school players as well as those in youth or collegiate level teams.

This study was funded by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment and USA Lacrosse. The researchers reported their findings in the “British Journal of Sports Medicine.”

As the short- and long-term health risks resulting from concussions become apparent, companies such as Odyssey Health Inc. (OTC: ODYY) are focused on developing effective treatments that can help those who have suffered concussions to recover quickly and forestall additional complications which could result from this condition.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Odyssey Health Inc. (OTC: ODYY) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ODYY

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