Differences in head acceleration across impact type, player position, and playing scenario in collegiate women's soccer athletes

Kaminski, ThomasWomen’s soccer athletes are exposed to 2.7-6.9 impacts per competitive game, leading to a large number of impacts over the course of one’s career. The long-term effects of these repetitive impacts have been debated with some studies reporting neuropsychological and structural injury and others reporting no changes. In order to understand these impacts, head acceleration has been used to quantify impacts on the field in sports such as football and ice hockey. The purpose of this study is to quantify and compare head accelerations during women’s soccer by player position, impact type, and playing scenario, games and practices. Twenty-four NCAA Division-I women’s soccer players were equipped with Smart Impact Monitors (SIMs), which were worn during all practices and games. The SIMs were secured to the head and positioned just below the inion using a custom headband. Real-time accelerations were transmitted wirelessly to a computer on the sidelines. Visual, on-field monitoring of games and practices allowed for the classification (type) of impact. Results indicate significant differences in peak linear accelerations exist between player position, type of impact, and playing environment. Information gathered from this investigation is important to identify athletes at risk of injury due to the various factors associated with head impacts.University of Delaware, Department of Kinesiology and Applied PhysiologyM.S