The application of brain tissue deformation values in assessing the safety performance of ice hockey helmets

Dynamic impact responses and brain tissue deformations from helmeted centric and non-centric headform impacts were assessed with respect to suggested concussive injury thresholds from the literature. Results from six commercially available ice hockey helmets were compared statistically. It is proposed that the current centric impact standards for ice hockey helmets measuring linear acceleration have effectively eliminated traumatic head injuries in the sport, but that angular acceleration and brain tissue deformation metrics are more sensitive to the conditions associated with concussive injuries which continue to be a major injury in the sport.