Youth football helmet fit assessment and association of prior fitting, issuance and initial season

The purpose of the study was to describe helmet fitting characteristics and influence of prior helmet fitting, issuance and initial season in a sample of youth football athletes. Helmet fit was assessed for 69 athletes aged 8-14 years using a standardized, 9-point inspection. Associated variables for improper fit consisted of previous fitting of helmet for the season, helmet issuance [team/school issued or purchased individually] and year of helmet initial season within 3 years of current season. A series of chi-square tests for association were conducted between the overall helmet fit and the associated variables. In total, 53.6% of youth football athletes had an improperly fit helmet, with 20.3% having ≥ three inspection items not meet fitting criteria. There were no associations between proper fit and previous fitting (<i>p</i> = 0.52), helmet issuance (<i>p</i> = 0.96) and year of initial season (<i>p</i> = 0.23). In conclusion, there were no associations between proper helmet fit and prior fitting, helmet issuance or year of initial season.