The Effect of Ethylene Vinyl

Acetate, Polyurethane, and

Polyethylene Foam Headgear
on the Outcome of a
Concussion
KathyJo Buiteweg Cousino High School
Alexandra Costanzo Lake Shore High School

Overview

Background
Problem
Hypothesis
Materials and Procedure
Data Collected
Data Analysis
Conclusion
Recap
Further Research
2

Introduction
52,000 deaths a year
75% from contact sports

Concussions
What is a concussion?
How do concussions occur?

Newtons Law of Motion

First Law
A body in motion tends to stay in motion

Newtons Law of Motion

Second Law
An unbalanced force will cause an object
to accelerate

Newtons Law of Motion

Third Law
For every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction

Post Concussion Survey

Soccer Headgear
Making a difference in the game
Reduces the risk

Comfortable?
Many players complain of the fit and feel

Different Types of Foam

Ethylene Vinyl
Acetate (EVA)

Polyurethane

Polyethylene

Closed-Cell
Foam

Open-Cell
Foam

Closed-Cell
Foam

10

Real World Application

Headgear may not prevent damage
but can lessen the blow to the head so
the injury is not as severe
Encourage aggressiveness

11

Problem
Does using head protection while
playing soccer affect the outcome of a
concussion and if yes, then what type of
foam is best used to protect the brain
from damage?

12

Hypothesis
If the foam head protection does make a
difference then the best type of foam for
the gear will be the Ethylene Vinyl
Acetate (EVA) foam.

13

Materials

Polyethylene
Foam
Polyurethane
Foam
Soccer Ball
EVA Foam
LabQuest
Soccer Ball JUG

14

Materials and the Stand

Rope
Venor
Force
Plate

Passo Lab Stand

Duel Clasps

Metal Poles

15

Procedure

16

Procedure (cont.)

17

Data Collected
Type of Foam
No Foam

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

Polyurethane
Polyethylene

Average Maximum Force (N)

270.4

176.5
226.2
237.2

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Data Analysis: ANOVA

Analysis of Variance test
All assumptions met
Null Hypothesis
All equal

19

Data Analysis: Two-Sample t test

No Foam vs EVA Foam

20

Data Analysis: Two-Sample t test

No Foam vs Polyurethane Foam

21

Data Analysis: Two-Sample t test

No Foam vs Polyethylene Foam

22

Data Analysis: Two-Sample t test

EVA Foam vs Polyurethane Foam

23

Data Analysis: Two-Sample t test

EVA Foam vs Polyethylene Foam

24

Conclusion

Accepted
Foam did make a small difference
EVA was lowest of all foams

Take results with caution

25

Errors
Electrical Issues with the JUG
Positioning of the ball

26

Recap
Affect of foam headgear on
concussions
Foam does make a difference
Lowest foam=EVA

ANOVA and two-sample t test showed

evidence

27

Further Research

Other types of foam

Weather conditions
Types of soccer balls
Accelerometer

28

Acknowledgments

Mrs. Rose Cybulski

Mr. Greg McMillan
Ms. Jaqueline DeFour
Mr. Rick Buiteweg
Mr. Bill Hanagan
The Buiteweg and Costanzo Families

29

Works Cited
Frei, Bernard. "World Soccer Shop." Worldsoccershop.com. Sports
Endeavers Inc., n.d. Web. 02 Jan. 2015. <http://soccergear.worldsoccershop.com/search#w=soccer%20headgear
&asug=>.
Joshim. Soccer Ball Flag. Digital image. Cgtrader.com. Marius
Kalytis, 19 Jan. 2014. Web. 2 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/sporthobby/equipment/soccer-ball-flag>.
Kleeman, Sophie. Football-Head-Shot-Collision. Digital image.
Nyulocal.com. Web Savvy Marketing, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 2
Jan. 2015. <http://soccergear.worldsoccershop.com/search#w=soccer%20headgear
&asug=>.
Kolb, B., and I. Wishaw. "Acquired Brain Injury: Brain Map."
Queensland Health. Queensland Government, 12 Sept.
2013. Web. 02 Jan. 2015.
<http://www.health.qld.gov.au/abios/asp/brain.asp>.
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ANY QUESTIONS??

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