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The combined tool approach for face mask removal during on-field conditions

Gale SD, Decoster LC, Swartz EE

Journal of athletic training, 2008

Abstract

CONTEXT: An effective approach to emergency removal of the face mask (FM) from a football helmet should include successful removal of the FM and limitation of both the time required and the movement created during the process. Current recommendations and practice are to use a cutting tool to remove the FM. Researchers recently have suggested an alternate approach that combines the use of a cordless screwdriver and a cutting tool. This combined tool approach has not been studied, and FM removal has not been studied in a practical setting.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and speed of using a combined tool approach to remove the FMs from football helmets during on-field conditions throughout the course of a football season.

DESIGN: Randomized multigroup design.

SETTING: Practice field of 1 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II football college.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four members of 1 football team.

INTERVENTION(S): We used a battery-operated screwdriver for FM removal and resorted to using a cutting tool as needed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We tracked FM removal success and failure and trial time and compared results based on helmet characteristics, weather variables, and the seasonal timing of the removal trial.

RESULTS: Of the 84 players, 76 were available for data-collection trials. Overall, 98.6% (75/76) of FM removal trials were successful and resulted in a mean removal time of 40.09 +/- 15.1 seconds. We found no differences in FM…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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