Abstract
Objectives: Assess the validity and feasibility of current instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) and associated systems. Methods: Phase I; four iMG systems (Biocore-Football Research Inc (FRI), HitIQ, ORB, Prevent) were compared against dummy headform laboratory criterion standards (25, 50, 75, 100 g). Phase II; four iMG systems were evaluated for on-field validity of iMG-triggered events against video-verification to determine true-positives, false-positives and false-negatives (20±9 player matches per iMG). Phase III; four iMG systems were evaluated by 18 rugby players, for perceptions of fit, comfort and function. Phase IV; three iMG systems (Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, Prevent) were evaluated for practical feasibility (System Usability Scale (SUS)) by four practitioners. Results: Phase I; total concordance correlation coefficients were 0.986, 0.965, 0.525 and 0.984 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, ORB and Prevent. Phase II; different on-field kinematics were observed between iMGs. Positive predictive values were 0.98, 0.90, 0.53 and 0.94 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, ORB and Prevent. Sensitivity values were 0.51, 0.40, 0.71 and 0.75 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ, ORB and Prevent. Phase III; player perceptions of fit, comfort and function were 77%, 6/10, 55% for Biocore-FRI, 88%, 8/10, 61% for HitIQ, 65%, 5/10, 43% for ORB and 85%, 8/10, 67% for Prevent. Phase IV; SUS (preparation-management) was 51.3-50.6/100, 71.3-78.8/100 and 83.8-80.0/100 for Biocore-FRI, HitIQ and Prevent. Conclusion: This study shows differences between current iMG systems exist. Sporting organisations can use these findings when evaluating which iMG system is most appropriate to monitor head acceleration events in athletes, supporting player welfare initiatives related to concussion and head acceleration exposure.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | bjsports-2022-105523 |
| Journal | British Journal of Sports Medicine |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 20 |
| Early online date | 25 Jul 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 31 Oct 2022 |
Bibliographical note
The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.Funding
The authors would like to thank all players and staff at Hull KR RLFC, Leeds Rhinos RLFC, St Helens RLFC, Wakefield Trinity RLFC, Warrington Wolves RLFC and Wigan Warriors RLFC for participating in the study. The authors would like to acknowledge the funding (dental scans, project expenses and Virginia Tech lab costs) provided by Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie School of Sport. The authors would like to thank all Super League CEOs, Laura Fairbank and Karen Moorhouse (Rugby Football League) for supporting the project. The authors acknowledge Brianna Mulhern and Mily Spiegelhalter for supporting data collection and Matt Halkier for supporting the video analysis. The authors would like to thank Dr Anthony Lovat (OPRO) for reviewing dental scans. Finally, the authors would like to acknowledge their sincere gratitude to Dr Nate Dau and Dr Lee Gabler (Biocore-Football Research Inc (FRI)), Damien Hawes and Tom Laudenbach (HitIQ), Robert Paterson and Thomas Quinn (ORB innovations) and Drew Goodger and Dr Adam Bartsch (Prevent Biometrics) for their support and cooperation during the study. GT, JT and DW have received Prevent Biometrics iMGs free of charge for use with Leeds Rhinos RLFC for a research project. BJ, MAD, KT are employed by Leeds Rhinos in a consultancy capacity. GT, JT and ÉCF use Prevent Biometrics iMG for research projects funded by World Rugby. GT submitted a funded research proposal for a different study to Prevent Biometrics during the review process of this article, which was subsequently successful. ÉCF is employed by World Rugby. BJ, JT, DW, KT, CO, KAS, GP, SH, MAD, GT are involved in the Rugby Football League Tackle and Contact Kinematic Load & Exposure (TaCKLE) project. BJ and KT will be involved in the procurement of iMGs for the TaCKLE project. BJ, GP are employed in a consultancy capacity by the Rugby Football League. KAS is employed by the Rugby Football Union. MB and SR lead the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab. Leeds Rhinos, World Rugby and Virginia Tech are research partners of Prevent Biometrics.
Keywords
- brain concussion
- dentists
- rugby
- sporting injuries
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation