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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 13 Hansard (4 December) . . Page.. 4691 ..

(e) It is important to note that the helmet which is designed to protect the head does not and cannot protect the neck. A helmet must not be too heavy. A weight of 60-80 grams for all age groups has been recommended as practical for surface protection without unduly adding weight to the neck (Morrison 1994);

(f) Poorly designed headgear can obscure peripheral vision and increase the risk of collision injury;

(g) A poorly fitting helmet may not adequately dissipate the force of an impact; and

(h) In order for helmets to be effective, they need to be properly cared for and maintained. Failure to do this will reduce the effectiveness of the helmet.

6.1.10 Helmets and litigation

In the US even the addition of warning labels to helmets has not prevented the continuing large awards being made to injured players where helmets are implicated as the cause of injury or where they fail to protect the player from the injury occurring (Patterson 1983; Appenzeller 1982; Schwartz 1988).

6.1.11 Conclusion

There is no available head protection that has been scientifically demonstrated to protect players in Australian football or the rugby codes from concussion or other forms of brain injury. Further research into this area, particularly on-field testing and evaluation of helmets, should be encouraged.

6.2 Mouthguards

It has been shown that the use of correctly fitting mouthguards appears to reduce the rate of concussion, as well as of dental and mandibular injuries (NFL 1988; Hodgson 1975). While not compulsory (it is usually left to the discretion of individual dubs), the majority of Rugby league and Australian football players wear mouthguards. Mouthguards are not compulsory in soccer and few players wear them.

There is a decrease in the intracranial pressure and bone deformation from a blow to the mandible when a mouthguard is worn. This means that mouthguards provide protection of the teeth, jaws and adjacent soft tissues and also protect the brain against concussion following impacts to the mandible.

6.2.1 Rationale for use

The mouthguard should be constructed of a tough resilient plastic closely adapted to the upper teeth, gums and palate.

It aims to:

1. provide direct protection to the teeth;

2. prevent the teeth injuring the lips;

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