New Technology Helping To Prevent Head Injuries In Sports
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Preventing concussions has become a huge topic in the sports world.
Doctors, researchers, and many other professionals are constantly looking for ways to stop the high number of head injuries.
Now, there's some new technology being used here in Pittsburgh on everyone from the youngest amateur athletes to the pros. It's called Unequal CRT or Concussion Reduction Technology.
It's thin, lightweight material that can be easily placed right into a helmet.
"We take bullet-resistant material; all this that you are seeing is military-grade, battle-tested composite, this is stuff you will find on the battlefields of Afghanistan and all over the world," said Rob Vito, the CEO of Unequal.
The padding is now being used by athletes of all ages, including Steelers Charlie Batch and James Harrison. Harrison says he won't play without it.
"You normally have some type of aches and pains, headaches after the game; I had no headaches," Harrison said. "I haven't had any issues since I've started wearing it."
It's not just the pros using it. After suffering two concussions while playing football, 15-year-old Barrett Naugle heard about CRT and decided to give it a try. He now uses it when he plays lacrosse.
"It's been amazing," said Naugle. "I don't feel anything when I get hit. I use it in my helmet and in my chest protector."
"He comes off the field and he has no complaints about headaches or anything like that, and he takes some hits out there, and it's good to know that there is something that you can do to help keep him safe," added Tammy Naugle, Barrett's mom.
At a news conference Tuesday, the makers of CRT and neurologists highlighted the results of tests on CRT.
According to the study, with the material installed, the risk of injury associated with helmet impacts went down as much as 50 percent.
Neurosurgeon and Steelers physician Dr. Joseph Maroon said he is very interested in the technology and hopeful it will help prevent sports-related injuries at all levels.
You can purchase Unequal CRT online.
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