While we are on the concussion vein in sports, here is an article that touches on some research performed by Virginia Tech on helmet safety.
According to this article, VT tested 32 helmets that are commonly used in hockey and rated them on a 5 star scale based on their ability to reduce the risk of concussion, but therein lies the problem; helmets do not reduce the risk for concussions. Helmets are very effective at reducing and eliminating other head and facial injuries such as fractures and lacerations, but they do not protect against concussions, which by definition are an insult to the brain that causes a metabolic cascade. Since the injury happens when the brain moves inside the skull, a helmet does not decelerate that motion. They further go on to state that using a low star helmet will increase the risk for a concussion. How?
I will be interested in seeing the actual study once it is published to determine what methods they chose in the development of their research. From what this article says, it is pretty flawed; equipment for the head does not reduce concussion risk; technique does. Without a change in the rules regarding contact, no amount of head protection is going to prevent a concussion.
Unfortunately, since concussions are such a hot ticket right now, a lot of research is being done on them to assess them, grade them, prevent them and treat them, but the fact remains that the challenge is the mechanism that causes them. Without that being addressed there can be no substantive change. This continuation of discussing helmets as a means of prevention confuses the parents, coaches and athletes about the true cause of concussions in sports. The ultimate answer is analyzing rules regarding contact and training proper technique.
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