Dr. Vincent Ferrara, a former Harvard quarterback, is leading the charge to improve the standard football helmet to decrease sports related neurological injuries.
Xenith LLC announces NOCSAE approval for its X1 football helmet that features an innovative head protection system. Xenith’s new approach to head protection is adaptive, more effectively managing energy at multiple impact levels, multiple locations, and after multiple hits. In addition, it offers a secure and comfortable fit system and has received unanimous player approval on the “cool factor.” “We see superior head protection as one part of a complete strategy for reducing the frequency and severity of concussions, which requires both innovation and education,” says Vin Ferrara, Xenith’s founder and CEO.
Dr. Robert Cantu, MD, a leading expert on concussions in sports and Co- Director Neurological Sports Injury Center Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston and Chief of the Neurosurgery Service and Director of Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA, is enthusiastic about Xenith’s innovative approach with both education and head protection. “Xenith’s approach is perhaps the greatest new head protection system to emerge in the last 30 years. The company’s dedication to innovation and education are critical in the effort to reduce the frequency and severity of concussions,” he says.
Xenith’s helmet is unlike any head protection currently being used. The technology in the helmet is called Xenith Adaptive Head Protection, and is comprised of patent pending Aware-Flow Shock Absorbers and an innovative fit system known as Fit Seeker. These two adaptive technologies combine into a system designed to reduce the sudden movement of the head that causes concussions.
Xenith’s technology has been developed through a sponsored research agreement with the University of Ottawa under the direction of Dr. Blaine Hoshizaki, an expert in head protection. Dr. Hoshizaki likes how the helmet handles hits. “The testing data shows the X1 flattens out force curves reducing peak Gs and the sudden movement that causes concussions.” Dr. Hoshizaki continues, “The X1 is performing especially well in the locations that are of highest concern with regard to concussions.”
Bill Long, Director of Football for the National High School Coaches Association is convinced Xenith’s fit system is the next standard. “Coaches that have to fit helmets every year will love this helmet. It is the easiest fit of any helmet on the market,” explains Long. “There is always that difficult to fit head, but with this fit system we will not likely see helmets flying off players’ heads.”
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(hat tip: Core77 Design Blog)