NYTHA contributes to study on helmet design, concussions

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has contributed $15,000 toward the funding of a study that will assess helmet designs and concussions, the association announced on Thursday.

The study, “The Computational Assessment of Helmets and Concussions,” will be led by Dr. Milan Toma, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the New York Institute of Technology, according to the NYTHA. Data from the study will be used to attempt to determine better helmet designs for riders, with the data shared with other researchers studying helmet designs in other professional sports.

The issue of concussions has grown in prominence over the past decade as more research is being conducted on the harmful long-term effects of head injuries. The Jockeys’ Guild, a trade association that represents riders, has been attempting to implement a nationwide protocol for riders who suffer concussions, but progress on the issue has been slow.