At Carnegie Mellon University, a group of football players has teamed up with neuroscientist Brad Mahon to explore how the cumulative effect of routine hits reshapes the brain over a season.
The athletes wear sensor‑equipped mouth guards that transmit impact data in real time, feeding a growing dataset that Mahon and his team use to build predictive models for player safety.
Danny Moynihan, one of the participants, says he joined the study to give his mother peace of mind about the blows he has absorbed over years on the field.
Avery Campbell, a statistics major, saw the research as an opportunity to blend his academic interests with his love of the game, turning each practice into a live experiment.
Balancing Brains and Brawn
Logan Armstrong, another volunteer, pointed out that recent advances in helmet technology and the adoption of Guardian Caps at practices have already shown measurable improvements in reducing wear‑and‑tear.
Head Coach Ryan Larsen emphasizes that his program maintains high standards for both academics and football, structuring practices around four defined tempos that sharpen skills while limiting unnecessary collisions.
Larsen’s commitment extends to investing in Guardian Caps and position‑specific helmet fittings, a strategy designed to protect players without compromising the physicality that defines the sport.