Utilizing biometric mouthguards to detect mild traumatic brain injuries in American football: Investigating the correlation between brain strain and cognitive function to enhance player safety
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Clayton Bardall (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Martin Tanaka
Abstract: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are a persistent concern in American football, posing significant risks to players' long-term health and cognitive function. This thesis explores the intricate dynamics of TBIs in football, with a focus on leveraging instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) and brain strain modeling to enhance player safety. The study builds upon the evolving literature by integrating wearable sensors to gather data on head impacts, facilitating the modeling of brain kinematics and assessment of injury potential. Through the utilization of iMGs and cognitive function tests, the research aims to provide a holistic framework for evaluating and mitigating TBIs. Data collected from the 2023 Western Carolina University Football season revealed the effectiveness of iMG brain modeling in forecasting associated cognitive impairments, particularly when axonal damage is focused in the ventricles and cerebellum. Strain in these regions were found to have roughly a 52% to 57% greater prediction percentage than the other regions. Additionally, the study identified a linear acceleration value of 30Gs as indicative of mild TBIs, even in the absence of noticeable symptoms. The findings underscore the capability of iMGs to detect and quantify axonal damage from TBIs, offering valuable insights for coaches, trainers, and medical professionals to mitigate these injuries in American football. While the study marks significant progress in linking iMG data to cognitive function across various brain regions, further research is warranted to expand participant quantity and refine cognitive testing methodologies. Nevertheless, this thesis contributes to advancing instrumented mouthguard technology, cognitive function testing, and brain modeling, paving the way for continued exploration and advancements in TBI detection and prevention strategies
Utilizing biometric mouthguards to detect mild traumatic brain injuries in American football: Investigating the correlation between brain strain and cognitive function to enhance player safety
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Created on 5/1/2024
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2024
- Keywords
- Brain Modeling, Brain Strain, Football, Instrumented Mouthguards, Player Safety, Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Subjects
- Brain damage
- Head—Wounds and injuries
- Football players
- Football—Equipment and supplies