Optical quality and impact resistance comparisons of 2 football helmet faceshields

BackgroundCurrently there is no standard that specifically addresses the optical and impact performance of football protective faceshields. This study compared the impact resistance and optical quality between 2 popular football faceshields. Testing was performed only on new faceshields.MethodsTo test impact resistance, baseballs were propelled at the faceshields with velocities up to 66.4 m/sec. Structural integrity was evaluated after each impact. Ten visors from each of 2 companies underwent a single impact at various velocities. Two visors from each company were impacted 3 times to evaluate the effects of repeated blows. Additional visors were conditioned to −10°C and impacted once. Additionally, prismatic power, refractive power, haze, visible light, and ultraviolet (UV) transmittance, and optical distortion were measured to evaluate optical quality. All testing was done with faceshields mounted to facemask and, when appropriate, to a helmet.ResultsNone of these new faceshields fractured even with impact velocities up to 66.4 m/sec. With regard to optical quality, both protectors met the optical requirements for the standards of faceshields for selected sports (ASTM F803-2003).ConclusionsBoth faceshields tested should protect football players from anticipated impacts while providing adequate optical quality for satisfactory visual performance.