Pictured from left to right are: NHMI Athletic Training Resident Theresa Chester, NHMI Executive Director Laura Decoster, Steve Tucker and University of New Hampshire associate professor Dr. Erik Swartz
Steve Tucker, PhD, ATC, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, collaborated on a research project with personnel from the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Musculoskeletal Institute (NHMI). Data collection for the project, entitled “Comparison of Head Acceleration, Time and Perceived Exertion during Football Helmet Removal with and without Facemask Removal,” took place at the NHMI. The purpose of the study was to identify the safest and quickest method of removing a football helmet during a simulated cervical spine injury scenario. In the event of a catastrophic injury, quick access to the head and airway is crucial in order to administer lifesaving treatment, while limiting motion to the cervical spine minimizes the potential threat of further neurological damage to the patient.