Polo helmet safety evaluation has primarily focused on linear acceleration, with little attention given to rotational acceleration – a significant predictor of brain injuries. The USPA Safety Committee recognized this limitation and requested a comprehensive evaluation of polo helmets under rotational loading conditions by an independent third party. The evaluation, led by Dr. Steve Rowson of Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, tested 10 polo helmet models under various rotational loading conditions. The key findings from the study indicate that NOCSAE-certified helmets outperformed those without certification, and that both rotational test systems identified the same top performers in terms of concussion risk. The summary linked below aims to educate the public on the Rowson-designed Virginia Tech evaluation and its implications on concussion risk. The full report is also available below.
