Student research takes aim at concussions

Clemson University researchers and students are tackling a national health concern by advancing concussion awareness and prevention through research.

Assistant professors David Kwartowitz and John DesJardins and associate professor Delphine Dean in the department of bioengineering at Clemson are mentoring an undergraduate Creative Inquiry student research team that is investigating the scientific implications of concussions. The students designed a dummy that is equipped with brain sensors that provide concussion data.

“We designed this dummy for the education of elementary, middle and high school students on the severity of concussions as well as the benefits of wearing protective equipment,” Kwartowitz said. “We control impact and collect concussion data while the dummy is donning an NCAA-approved football or baseball helmet.”

The students built a track system to strike the head of the dummy with numerous objects, including weights, footballs, baseballs and helmets. Using the track system, the researchers can manipulate the impact of these objects and the sensors provide instant concussion results.

“We’ve begun a competition for the students to design their own padding inside the shell of a football helmet to avoid probable concussions at high impact,” Kwartowitz said. “Ultimately, the data collected will offer insight as how to better protect an athlete from concussion.”

The dummy simulator eventually will be displayed in Greenville at the Roper Mountain Science Center’s newly renovated health research facility, which has 120,000 students visiting annually.

The researchers plan to make their findings available to athletes, coaches and parents at a time when concern about concussions is high.

More than 29,000 concussions were reported in all NCAA sports from 2004 to 2009, with 16,277 in football, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program. Concussions in collegiate and professional sports have been making the news, but youth athletes are facing an even higher risk.

“Some parents are in denial about the severity of their child’s injury because they want them to become the next standout athlete,” said Jimmy Sanderson, assistant professor of communication studies at Clemson. “And in many cases, coaches are not equipped with training to identify concussions and at times the desire to win can trump concern for the child’s wellbeing, and therefore young athletes are allowed to continue to play despite potential injuries.”

Sanderson, who is conducting research on the media’s portrayal of concussions and fans’ perceptions about player safety, notes that communication is key to athlete safety. However, communication barriers are rampant at every level of sports. If coaches and parents shame players who report injuries, long-term damage can result, he said.

Sanderson teaches sports communication courses in which students examine a variety of issues, including concussion awareness and prevention, parent behavior in youth sports and social media’s influence on sports.

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Creative Inquiry
Creative Inquiry is a unique program that gives Clemson University undergraduate students the opportunity to work on research projects that span disciplines and multiple semesters. Students work in teams with faculty mentors, take ownership of their projects and take the risks necessary to solve problems and get answers. Creative Inquiry participants develop critical thinking skills, learn to solve problems, and hone their communication and presentation skills. For more information, go to www.clemson.edu/ci.

Clemson University
Ranked No. 25 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success. Clemson is an inclusive, student-centered community characterized by high academic standards, a culture of collaboration, school spirit, and a competitive drive to excel.