University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Helmet Research Enhances Equestrian Protection

Equestrian sports first appeared in the modern Olympic games in 1900. And while the sport has continued to evolve since then, so has researchers’ understanding of the importance of wearing helmets while engaging in equestrian sports. As the 2024 Olympics approach, one researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine is teaming up with Olympic athletes to remind athletes at all levels about the importance of having the proper protective equipment.

Sara Gould, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, took a special interest in learning about helmets for equestrian riders when she started horseback riding as an adult.

“I rode horses growing up; but when I rediscovered the sport as an adult, I wanted to make sure I had the safest equipment,” Gould said. “I found a relative lack of research on helmets and the effects equestrian-related head injury can have on the brain.”

Gould began studying the effectiveness of helmets for equestrian athletes and how forces are transmitted to an athlete’s brain as they ride.

“Horses can go up to 45 miles per hour and can jump obstacles over 5 feet tall,” Gould said. “We wanted to better understand the force an individual’s brain experiences while performing at an elite level.”

For this study, Gould teamed up with professional equestrians to better understand what happens to the brain while the individual rides. This study used a custom-fitted mouthpiece that measured the impact that jumping obstacles on horseback has on the brain.

The study, performed in collaboration with Wake Forest University researchers, evaluated forces on the brain from various phases of horseback riding, including jumping the horse over obstacles. Experts found that some of the highest forces transmitted to the brain occur when the horse makes an unanticipated movement, such as a sudden stop before a jump. This movement is similar to what an individual would experience with whiplash and was comparable to the force a little league football tackle puts on the brain.

“We hypothesize that a more novice equestrian’s brain might experience a greater impact upon an unanticipated movement,” Gould said. “An elite equestrian likely correlates to improved balance and muscle mass to counteract sudden decelerations.”

Gould says helmet research is helpful when it comes to testing and understanding helmets for equestrians.

“Unlike football helmets, which are intended to experience multiple hits, equestrian helmets are built to withstand only one substantial hit before they need to be replaced,” Gould said.

Protecting against head injuries is very important. Gould is using her research to encourage equestrian riders at all levels to replace their helmets after falls and in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines.

Gould met with Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward to talk about the importance of proper helmet use.

“You need to educate, starting with parents and trainers, and then down the line the athletes themselves, particularly the younger athletes, that not only is the equipment very important, but it’s also important to keep up with the standards for the equipment.” Ward said.