Measurement of Head Accelerations of Boxers-Feasibility Study

摘要

Impacts and closed head injuries resulting from transportation accidents are not well-defined scientifically, because of the scarcity of valid data. Test animals, anthropometric dummies and human cadavers are not sufficient representations to permit correlation of head accelerations with concussive effects. The present effort is a feasibility study of instrumentation boxers during a scheduled bout to obtain the needed data. A miniaturized accelerometer-transmitter would fit unobtrusively in the boxers' mouthpiece and permit blow-by-blow telemetering of head motion data to ringside for later analyses and correlation with observed responses. The feasibility of performing these measurements was examined by conducting a survey of boxing activities (professional and amateur), performing an assessment of the safety and legal requirements, and improving packaging design to enhance boxer comfort and acceptance of a mouthpiece containing the instrumentation. Acceptability tests with a boxer wearing a mouthpiece with a mockup of the instrument and sparring, were conducted. A three-phased plan for conducting the measurements is described and favorable test sites are given.