Do The Latest Football Helmets Reduce Concussion Risk?, State Of Working Wisconsin Report, Teach Me What You Know: Drilling 101

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UW researchers recently conducted a study on how the type of helmet a high school football player wears affects the risk of concussion. We take a look at the results. Then we check in on the State of Working Wisconsin report and learn how to drill in our weekly Teach Me What You Know segment.

Featured in this Show

  • As Football Season Starts, Researchers Remind Parents To Stick With Cheap Helmets

    As football season begins against a backdrop of increasing concern about sports-related concussions both for amateurs and professionals, University of Wisconsin researchers have a reminder for parents: Costlier helmets don’t lower risk of concussion.

    Dr. Alison Brooks, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation in the Division of Sports Medicine, is one of the lead authors of a new study that looked at whether or not claims of improved safety by manufacturers of sports equipment were true. The conclusion? Helmets, old or new, don’t factor into one’s concussion risk.

    “All seemed to do an equally good job of protecting kids,” said Brooks.

    In other words: “Buy a $500 helmet, as opposed to a $300 helmet,” said Brooks. “I’m not sure what the investment is.”

    Far more important than price or newness, said Brooks, is that a helmet is fitted, inspected for damage and most importantly, comfortable.

    Another finding from the study was that custom-made mouth guards coincided with a 60 percent increase in concussion risk compared with generic brands. Brooks said, however, that this doesn’t mean custom-made mouth guards cause concussions, and that there’s likely another causal factor at play.

  • Do Latest Football Helmets Reduce Risk Of Concussion?

    UW researchers recently conducted a study of the risk of concussion among high school football players depending on the type of helmet they wear. We take a look at the results.

  • State Of Working Wisconsin Report Shows Some Improvements And Some Challenges For State Economy

    Every year on Labor Day, the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) releases its State of Working Wisconsin report. This year’s report shows that things are starting to look better in WIiconsin, but the state’s economy still faces some significant challenges. The associate director of COWS discusses this year’s results and how things can improve.

  • Teach Me What You Know: A Bit About Drills

    A drill is often the right tool for the right job–but how do select the best one for our needs? And what kind of bits are best for particular tasks? On this edition of Teach Me What You Know: Drilling 101.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Dr. Alison Brooks Guest
  • Laura Dresser Guest
  • Steve Hoefer Guest
  • Marika Suval Producer
  • Amanda Magnus Producer

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