Real Time Measurement of Head Acceleration During Youth Soccer Play

The collection of on-field, head impact data in soccer has been a challenge for researchers. Given the lack of headgear, the ability to instrument players, similar to what has been done in other sports [1, 2], is not possible. [3–5]. Laboratory recreations using reflective targets, EMG electrodes, and an instrumented bite plate have provided some insight into heading impact events [3, 5]. However, all of this instrumentation changes the ability of the player to move freely and, therefore, alters the dynamic of the impact. By developing a wireless acceleration measurement system which does not inhibit movement and provides no head protection, the linear and angular head accelerations can be measured during actual soccer play.