UAB Orthopaedic Surgery Associate Professor Sara Gould, M.D. will present at the 2023 American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting in May.

The AMSSM Annual Meetings cover many topics at the forefront of sports medicine, such as health equity, concussion, lifestyle medicine, mental health, the importance of physician support and wellness, and more. This year’s theme is “Rising to the Challenge”, challenging sports medicine providers to apply lessons learned about mentorship, leadership and professional development to their practices.

Gould will present an oral poster entitled “Equestrian Helmet Testing: MIPS Performance On A Novel Testing Approach.” The presentation focuses on her recent study with UAB researchers, examining a standard equestrian helmet made from a polycarbonate shell over expanded polystyrene foam.

The researchers tested and compared this helmet’s effectiveness to helmets designed with a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS), which is a low-friction layer between the helmet shell and liner. The study specifically compared the amount of rotational velocity during head impact.

Results showed no reduction in rotational velocity with MIPS technology compared to traditional helmets. The team then tested the helmet on different terrain surfaces. Values for testing included rotational velocity and deceleration upon impact with three different surfaces: sod, sand and a sand/fiber mixture.

All surfaces tested similarly in deceleration values. However, sand and sand-plus-fiber surfaces had significantly lower rotational velocities upon contact with the helmet compared to sod.

This year’s meeting will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, from April 27 to May 3. Dr. Gould will present on May 1 at 10:00 AM and 3:15 PM MST.