Open AccessLoop-Strap Type Does Not Affect Facemask Removal Using an Anvil Pruner
Author(s) -
Jeff G. Seegmiller,
Darcie Stechschulte-Musielewicz
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the internet journal of allied health sciences and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1540-580X
DOI - 10.46743/1540-580x/2008.1183
Subject(s) - football , movement (music) , loop (graph theory) , orthodontics , displacement (psychology) , physical medicine and rehabilitation , simulation , computer science , mathematics , medicine , psychology , physics , acoustics , combinatorics , political science , law , psychotherapist
Purpose: To compare time and movement characteristics of four different brands of football facemask loop straps during a cutting task. Methods: Ten certified athletic trainers, age 24.8 ± 3.4, years of experience 2.4 ± 2.5, cut four different brands of football helmet loop straps (ShockblockerTM, ASI (Athletic Specialty), SchuttTM AG (Armourguard) Elite, and RiddellTM) with an anvil pruner. Task completion time was measured with a time code generator. Helmet movement was measured in the lateral flexion plane using 2-dimensional motion analysis. Results:Measureable but non-significant differences were observed between loop strap types (P < 0.05) for dependent variables (time, range movement, and mean movement). Conclusions: Emergency personnel can effectively cut through various brands of football helmet loop straps using an anvil pruner and do not need brand-specific tools for facemask removal. Similar movement characteristics were observed while cutting all four brands of loop straps. Movement occurring during facemask removal may increase cervical displacement and increase injury severity. Measureable differences in cutting time warrant further investigation.