For the second time in 15 days, the VICIS ZERO1 soccer helmet is being lauded because the most secure round. On Might 1, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab awarded 5 stars for VICIS’ 2018 ZERO1. The helmet beat out sixteen different rivals.
The aim of VT’s analysis, which has been ongoing since 2011, is to determine which Helmets scale back the danger of head accidents most successfully. The testing course of includes hitting helmets with a weight swung on a pendulum arm and makes an attempt to repeat the trajectory and severity of an in-game influence. Sensors positioned on dummies’ heads report linear and rotational impacts to supply an general ‘star’ score.
“Virginia Tech supplies goal, scientifically rigorous scores that assist mother and father, coaches, faculties and gamers choose one of the best performing soccer helmets for highschool and collegiate athletes,” stated VICIS CEO and co-founder, Dave Marver, in a press release. “We’re proud our ZERO1 helmet is now prime-ranked in each Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and NFL/NFLPA testing.”
It’s unanimous. The 2018 VICIS ZERO1 is the Top-Rated and Top-Ranked helmet by Virginia Tech and the NFL/NFLPA, respectively. #ELEVATE pic.twitter.com/BE9tCrNQpG
— VICIS (@VicisPro) April 30, 2018
Right here’s what else it’s essential to know:
– The NFL/NFLPA testing that Marver alludes to is one other annual rating of the most secure helmets available on the market. Simply final month, VICIS was awarded the highest NFL/NFLPA rating for a second-straight yr. The one distinction between the 2 rankings is that the NFL focuses strictly on helmets used on the skilled degree. Virginia Tech, however, consists of these utilized in highschool and collegiate play as properly.
– What makes VICIS’ ZERO1 helmet distinctive? It has a deformable outer shell that slows impacts simply as a automotive bumper would. For an entire rationalization of the science behind the design, take a look at this video.
– ZERO1 was steadily used on the NFL and NCAA degree in 2017. You’ll have acknowledged former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith as a frequent wearer of the helmet. VICIS has been capable of decrease the price of manufacturing, making the helmet out there to extra athletes at the highschool degree. Nevertheless, it nonetheless retails for $950, greater than 4 occasions that of some decrease ranked rivals.
SportTechie Takeaway
Helmet testing hasn’t simply recognized one of the best. For the primary time in league historical past, the NFL banned using a handful of helmets. Based mostly off the NFL/NFLPA’s testing, helmets from producers like Rawlings, Schutt, SG Helmets and Riddell have been deemed ineligible. Nearly all of these have been utilized by NFL gamers final season.
Future helmets may additionally be place-particular. NFL researchers have prompt a transfer away from common helmets and towards ones which may present counter-measures for the trials of every particular person place.
