Abstract :
Sports related concussion (SRC) remains a challenge for sports physicians to identify because of varied presentation and lack of diagnostic tool. Keeping in mind its long term effect various sports bodies introduced different preventive strategies to reduce incidence of SRC. Commercial headgear is currently being used by players of all ages and skill levels in certain sports to protect themselves from heading and direct impact, even though the protective effect on concussion has not been conclusively demonstrated and limited research has been done. Electronic databases and grey literatures were used to search the evidence using Medical Subject Headings sports headgear, concussion, helmet, cricket, soccer, American Football, boxing for the available research studies from 1990 up to April 2020. The wide variety of prospective surveillance as well as lab studies made the case even more confusing as the simulation model may not actually replicate the on field scenario. Moreover the type and component of the headgear need to be subjected based on sports specific demand. Hence this literature review is aimed at available evidences in different sports to find any consensus between use of headgear and prevention of SRC.
Keyword :
concussion, efficacy, headgear, prevention