May 30, 2023 6:32 PM
Polo helmet safety evaluation has primarily focused on linear acceleration, with little attention given to rotational acceleration - a significant predictor of brain injuries. The USPA Safety Committee recognized this limitation and requested a comprehensive evaluation of polo helmets under rotational loading conditions by an independent third party. The evaluation, led by Dr. Steve Rowson of Virginia Tech Helmet Lab, tested 10 polo helmet models under various rotational loading conditions. The key findings from the study indicate that NOCSAE-certified helmets outperformed those without certification, and that both rotational test systems identified the same top performers in terms of concussion risk. The summary linked below aims to educate the public on the Rowson-designed Virginia Tech evaluation and its implications on concussion risk. The full report is also available below.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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