University Of ConnecticutBME 3600BME3600Lab2.
Lab 2: Balance Control Testing with Sports Helmets
October 8th, 2018
Author: Michael Sirota
Group
... [Show More] Members: Jordan Daniels, Tianbo Wang and Sandeep
BME3600
Lab Section 001
1
Sirota
Introduction:
Significant evidence has been put forward regarding the effects of sports helmets on the
balance of athletes in various sports. In this experiment, students examined the correlation
between four types of sports helmets and their affect on an individual’s balance. The purpose is
to help students better understand the complex forces that are constantly acting on the body at
any given time. The internal forces were visualized using the help of the force platform machine.
The test subject of the experiment wore a baseball, softball, football and a hockey helmet to
determine their different effects on balance of the human body. Football and hockey as sports,
involve a much higher percentage of collisions between players and thus higher impacts.
Therefore, the design of these helmets differ in significant ways from low impact sports such as
baseball and softball. The experiment allowed students to test how each type of helmet created
different forces in three dimensions along with associated moments of joints. The force platform
used to record the data is a precise instrument that lays flat on the floor using a strain gauge to
determine the forces in the x, y and z directions. It works by measuring the deformation of
material on the board and the change in resistance when a subject is placed on it. After collecting
this date, the computer quantifies data based on the also changed voltage and current. In the field
of Biomedical Engineering and biomechanics, the force board is essential used to see how the
body creates different forces during various activities. Therefore, it is important to discuss how
the force platform is used while also interpreting the resulting values. The purpose of the
experiment is to see which helmet provides the best balance while shedding light on why some
helmets provide more balance than others. In doing so, students can suggest potential
improvements to make those helmets that provide less balance more effective in that regard. [Show Less]