N-Pro headgear reduces concussion risk
N-Pro produces revolutionary headgear that absorbs energy and decreases concussion risk
![](https://concussion.training/wp-content/uploads/n-pro-afl2.jpg)
This season, Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, St Kilda’s Patrick McCartin and most recently Carlton big man Matthew Kreuzer have all worn protective headgear called N-Pro, manufactured by Irish company Contego Sports.
![](https://concussion.training/wp-content/uploads/n-pro-product-3.png)
The prestigious British Medical Journal Open Sport & Exercise Medicine (Nov 2018) published data on N-Pro headgear showing it reduces linear impacts by up to 75% in comparison to the use of a commercially available rugby head guard and repeated impacts did not impair the attenuation of impact energy. Rotational impact energy was also reduced by an average of 34% across three speeds and two sites of impact testing.
This heralds a new generation of soft headgear that could help reduce two primary risk factors in sports-induced mild traumatic brain injury: linear
and rotational impacts to the head.
N-Pro uses a combination of viscoelastic materials to absorb energy from impacts
![](https://concussion.training/wp-content/uploads/n-pro-structure.jpg)
The BMJ article highlights university tests showing a decrease in both linear and rotational acceleration, and significantly greater reductions than other common headgear on the market.
![](https://concussion.training/wp-content/uploads/both-tests-1030x366.jpg)
Importantly, the headgear was effective even after multiple impacts. They tested the product for repeated impacts to simulate 3 years of use using a pendulum impact rig, so that they could repeatedly impact the production a controlled manner, on the exact same test site. Even after nearly 2,000 impacts, the decrease in force (energy) transmitted through the material was significant.
![](https://concussion.training/wp-content/uploads/repeated-impacts2.jpg)
Previously, it was true to say that headgear was about as much use as the packaging it came in: only good to protect the head from superficial lacerations and cauliflower ears.
N-Pro is a game-changer.
And a potential life saver.