Most hockey helmets don't effectively prevent concussions: study

source : newstalk650.com

A new study out of Virginia Tech finds that most hockey helmets on the market do not adequately prevent concussions, be they used by NHL professionals or children in Timbits hockey.

The study, published on the college's website Monday, rated 32 helmets on a five-star scale.
Only one model, (the Warrior Krown 360,) rated above two stars. Nine helmet varieties received zero stars.

Researchers conducted their tests over the course of three years, with a budget of $500,000. None of the funding was provided by the helmet industry.

Each helmet was subjected to 48 impact tests: four directions at three energy levels, twice. Testing took place both in the lab, and an ice skating rink. The focus of the testing was solely on concussion prevention, so the findings do not speak to a helmet's ability to prevent skull fractures or other brain injuries.

Tellingly, the findings indicate that a helmet's price has little bearing on how safe it is, at least when it comes to concussions. A $270 helmet scored lower than a $35 model from the same manufacturer.

Virginia Tech did a similar study on football helmets in 2011, with similarly damning results. The industry quickly responded, and when researchers tested the manufacturers' new helmet models three years later, the results were significantly improved.

A full list of the helmets rated can be found below. More information on the rating system, and the research methodology, can be found here.

Hockey helmet concussion ratings:

5 Stars - Best Available

(None)

4 Stars - Very Good

(None)

3 Stars - Good

Warrior Krown 360 - $79.98

2 Stars - Adequate 

CCM Resistance 300 - $159.99
Bauer 5100 - $89.99
Warrior Krown LTE - $119.99
Reebok 11k - $159.99
Bauer 2100 - $34.99
CCM Resistance 100 - $74.99

1 Star - Marginal
CCM V08 - $74.99
Tour Spartan GX - $67.00
Reebok 4k - $49.98
Bauer IMS 9.0 - $139.99
Easton E300 - $29.98
Bauer 7500 - $99.99
Easton E700 - $129.98
CCM Resistance - $229.99
Mission M15 - $26.98
Bauer Re-Akt 100 - $269.99
Bauer Re-Akt - $199.99
Bauer IMS 11.0 - $159.99
Easton E600 - $79.98
Reebok 7k - $99.99
CCM V06 - $54.99
Mission Inhaler - $98.99

0 Stars - Not Recommended
Bauer 9900 - $99.98
Bauer 4500 - $69.99
Reebok 5k - $84.99
Reebok 3k - $39.99
Reebok 8k - $44.98
Easton E400 - $44.98
Tour Spartan ZX Pro - $88.47
Bauer IMS 7.0 - $119.99
CCM V04 - $49.99