EFFECTS OF VARYING FACEMASK REINFORCEMENT ON REACTION TIME AND TARGET DETECTION IN NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

PURPOSE: Football helmet facemasks have been shown to differentially alter visual field. We have previously shown that peripheral vision reaction time (PRT) and target detection are hindered while wearing football headgear. However, whether different levels of facemask reinforcement alter ability to respond to peripheral visual stimuli is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of varying facemask reinforcement on PRT and target detection in collegiate football players. METHODS: Division 1 NCAA football players with normal/corrected to normal vision participated. In a randomized manner, participants completed peripheral reaction time tests for the following conditions: Baseline/no helmet (BL), Light reinforced (L), Medium reinforced (M), Heavy reinforced (H), and Extra-heavy reinforced (XH) face masks. For each condition, a 60 s PRT test was completed on a Dynavision D2 visuomotor board. Subjective perception of how levels of reinforcement would affect field performance was assessed with a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire. RESULTS: Regardless of reinforcement, all facemask conditions resulted in significantly slower average PRT and lower target hits compared to BL (p < 0.05). No differences for PRT or target hits were observed between L, M, or H conditions. PRT was significantly slower for the XH condition versus L (p = 0.003), M (p = 0.001), H (p = 0.004). Additionally, target hits were significantly lower for the XH condition versus L (p = 0.010), M (p = 0.009), H (p = 0.016). Subjectively, participants believed that the H and XH facemasks would make their performance worse on the field compared to L or M (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Wearing a helmet irrespective of facemask reinforcement worsens PRT and target detection. However, only extra-heavy facemask reinforcement potentiates impairments in the ability to detect and respond to peripheral stimuli. Since unobstructed vision on the field is important for safety and performance, these findings may have important implications on equipment regulations for safety in collegiate football.