Upload
dorcas-kennedy
View
215
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Effects of Mouthguards on ForceCole Turgeon
Mr. SpanglerWhitefish High SchoolAdvanced Chemistry
INTRODUCTIONResearch Question: Will the use of a mouthguard have an effect on the force applied?
Hypothesis: The use of a mouthguard will significantly lessen the force recorded from the initial force used.
BACKGROUNDConcussions are a huge part in sports today
-Many lawsuits from former NFL players
Mouthguards are thought to help prevent concussions
-No proven fact that they do
PROCEDUREInd. Variable: Mouthguard used
-Changed between three different mouthguard types (Custom, Top, Bottom)Dep. Variable: Amount of force
-Dropped a baseball from a set height for every test
PROCEDUREVernier accelerometer measured force
-Sensor that records directional force in m/s2
Data displayed on computer where sensor was attached
-Data values had a range of 30 m/s2
Data Collection
DATA (avg from 30 tests)
Base Test- 103.06 m/s2
Upper Jaw- 49.70 m/s2
Lower Jaw- 56.37 m/s2
Custom- 60.41 m/s2
CONCLUSIONMouthguards have a positive effect on force
Results were as expected-Mouthguard with the highest thickness of material had the lowest force recorded and test with no mouthguard was significantly higher than any other test
IMPROVEMENTSImproved sensor
-Sensor had a range of 30 m/s2
More accurate jaw alignment-Jaw movement was straight up and down which negated the proposed benefits of
lower and custom mouthguard
AbstractTesting the dampening effects of different mouthguards on an applied forces and the correlation to concussions. Data is used to find which type of mouthguard is most effective in lessening forces and the benefits provided as it relates to concussions.
REFERENCESMcCrory, Paul. "Do Mouthguards Prevent Concussion?" -- McCrory 35 (2): 81. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
"Custom-made Mouthguards Reduce Athletes' Risk of Concussion, Study Shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 May 2014. Web. 08 Jan. 2015.
Johnston, K. M. "Sports Dentistry Online - Concussion Prevention and Athletic Mouthguards." Sports Dentistry Online - Concussion Prevention and Athletic Mouthguards. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2015
"FITGuard Mouth Guard to Detect Head Impacts That Lead to Concussions." FITGuard Mouth Guard to Detect Head Impacts That Lead to Concussions. Sports Medicine, 2 May 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.
Stone, Paul. "Custom-Made Mouthguards May Help Prevent Sports-Related Brain Injuries." Traumatic Brain Injury. N.p., 1 May 2014. Web. 09 Jan. 2015.