Our new study, “Lifting the lid on American football equipment: understanding current knowledge and safe practise of equipment use in British American Football”, surveyed 168 UK-based American football (AF) players to understand how helmets (and other protective gear) are used — and whether players really follow good helmet-fit practices.
The Methods
- We (the researchers) used a version of the widely-used 13-criteria helmet-fit checklist (originally developed by experts such as Yeargin et al. and Williams et al.2021) to evaluate participants’ knowledge, behaviours and attitudes related to helmet safety.
- Because one of the original criteria (presence of a standard American sticker) isn’t relevant in the UK, the survey used the remaining 12 “true” criteria adapted for the UK context.
- Players were also asked about their use and maintenance of other gear (mouthguards, visors etc.), frequency of helmet-damage checks, why and when they replaced equipment, and their attitude to playing while injured, using full kit, and whether gear made them more aggressive or “fearless.”
Key Findings
- Good overall knowledge of helmet fit, but a disconnect between knowledge and behaviour/attitude. Most players (over 90%) identified key fit principles correctly — e.g. that “the helmet should fit the head snugly on all sides.”
- Strong belief in the importance of fit for safety: ~84% said helmet fit was very important to their safety; ~69% said they would definitely or probably not play with an ill-fitting helmet.
- Yet — risky attitudes persist: 19% said wearing protective equipment allowed them to play while injured; 31% said they felt “fearless” when wearing full kit; and many said wearing equipment made them tackle “harder.”
- Behaviour/maintenance of gear is mixed: Although most were using relatively modern helmets (average age ~ 3.6 years) and reputable brands, no participants reported ever sending their helmet (shell, chin-cup or faceguard) for manufacturer reconditioning — despite that being recommended for safety and warranty in many cases.
- Mouthguard use is high (98%), which is good — but 20% said they never renew them, which could compromise protection over time.
What It Means
- Having good knowledge of what a proper helmet fit looks like doesn’t guarantee safe behaviours — many players still maintain risky practices despite knowing better.
- Without routine maintenance or reconditioning, helmets could degrade and offer less protection than intended; and ill-fitting helmets (or worn-out mouthguards) might increase risk of concussion or facial/head injury.
- The data suggest that simply having protective gear isn’t enough — how it’s fitted, maintained, and how players behave while wearing it matters a lot.
Why It Matters for UK Football
For a sport like American football — where head impacts are frequent — equipment is the first line of defence. In the UK, where many clubs use secondhand or shared helmets and may lack widespread equipment-education programmes, this study highlights a big opportunity: ensuring players not only know what a good helmet fit looks like, but also commit to good practices (regular checks, proper maintenance, avoiding risky behaviour).
The Authors’ Recommendations
- The national governing body BAFA should promote better education and awareness around helmet fit, maintenance, and safe use of equipment.
- Coaches, clubs, and players should encourage and adopt regular equipment inspections, maintenance, and reconditioning where needed — not just rely on the fact that “they’ve always worn this helmet.”
- Players should also reflect on attitude and behaviour: wearing protective gear doesn’t make them invincible — good technique, respect for safety, and responsible playing are still essential.
Read the full manuscript here: SpringerLink