Impact Indicator

What Impact can WE make?

Dustin Fink1 Comment

I have worked with Battle Sports Science for the past year, mainly as the athletic trainer trying to come up with all the problems one would have by putting any “concussion” device on the field of play.  The things I have gained out of this relationship are: friendship, an opportunity to be the overbearing and opinionated athletic trainer, be on the cutting edge of the concussion awareness movement, tickets to a Nebraska football game, and a few Impact Indicators (oh and an unflattering picture of me on the package).  More importantly what I have learned in the relationship; is that with Chris Circo at the helm there is truly a company out there looking to make a difference – yes they aim to profit as well – however they want to get it right.  It all begins with the words and actions.  One such action that carried heavy weight for me was a conversation about their mouthguards.  I mentioned to Circo that I felt his product claims on the mouthguard was out of line in terms of their concussion claims, and just asked him to remove it.  Guess what, he did!  He had to change packaging and even when there was a distributor that had the old verbage on a website was found he made a call and had that changed too.

I tell you this because Chris has worked on a post for this blog (hopefully others) to use to bring up the question: “How can WE ALL help?”  It explains what they are trying to accomplish as well, using the Impact Indicator as a good first step;

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What Vince Lombardi can teach us about protecting athletes from brain injuries.

Gap-toothed and sporting a trademark crew cut, the face of Vince Lombardi brings to mind one word for most football fans, winning. It’s easy to see why too. The legendary coach led the Green Bay Packers to 3 straight league championships, won 2 consecutive Super Bowls and never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL. He’s also famous for a quote about winning he never uttered, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” The hard-nosed coach’s actual quote “Winning isn’t everything … but wanting to win is” gives us I believe, cause to stop and think.

The place we find ourselves today in the battle to reduce head injuries in football is Continue reading →

Tuesday Quick Hits

Dustin FinkLeave a comment

The concussion news cycle seems to have slowed a bit over the past week.  Sure there has been plenty of newsworthy events, including cases of kids getting hurt, but the amount of news seen in the searches has dropped quite a bit recently.  I must say that over the past few weeks I have seen more and more “mainstream” outlets picking up on the awareness issue.  One such case is NPR and a story about products that have been popping up.  The title is a bit misleading as mouthguards are not discussed, it does take a look at the Battle Sports Science Impact Indicator;

Battle Sports Science CEO Chris Circo says his product does measure rotational movement as well as direct head impacts. Circo, who’s had five concussions and takes anti-seizure medication, says he knows how complex brain injuries are. In an interview, he is more circumspect than his trumpet-like email to the media.

“Does the Impact Indicator prevent concussions? Absolutely not,” Circo says. “Does it diagnose concussions? Absolutely not.”

But, as advertised, it does help, says Circo. And despite Halstead’s fear, Circo insists Continue reading →

New Website & Product for Battle Sports Science

Dustin FinkLeave a comment

Battle Sports Science has rolled out a new website and products to help with safety, most notably an awareness and mechanical device that can and will help with issues we face today as; parents, athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers in the area of concussions;

We know all too well too, the agony that sports injuries can bring.  Collectively, we’ve experienced major injuries like concussions and know the fear and frustration it can have on a player and his or her family. It’s what motivated us to start Battle Sports Science in 2009. Years before that though, we were hard at work in the sports safety business. Then and now, the goal remains the same, not just to make good products but to make innovative products that address the day’s greatest sports safety challenges.

To deliver on those lofty goals, Battle Sports Science blends cutting-edge science with a keen understanding of the athlete. Of course, that old competitive spirit is fast at work in what we do too. Giving our best to be the best pushes our efforts and standards everyday. The result is something we’re very proud of, some of the finest sports safety equipment anywhere.

One of the newest products is due to hit the shelves August 1st, the Impact Indicator a real-time accelerometer implanted in a chin guard.  This product has been worked on for years and developed as a cost-effective way to provide another “tool” to heighten the awareness about concussions.  Not only that, this product is something that will help with the identification Continue reading →