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Head Injury Criterion (HIC) Meter

The HIC Meter is an essential device for measuring the impact attenuation of synthetic turf or playground surfacing. It is used to ensure that the surface of a playground or sports field is safe for users, particularly when it comes to preventing head injuries. The Meter is the standard device used to determine the Head Injury Criterion value of a surface.

According to the EN1177 standard, if the HIC value is below 1000 and the Gmax is below 200, there is only a 3% chance of a critical head injury occurring to an average male adult.

Originally used for testing playground surfaces, the Meter has now become the standard for EN tests in training Rugby fields (EN15330-1) and is also included in the World Rugby handbook. This highlights the importance of using the HIC Meter to ensure the safety of sports fields for users. It is crucial to recognize the significance of impact attenuation testing and to adhere to established standards to protect athletes and players from the risk of serious head injuries.

How HIC Meter Works?

A hemispherical aluminum headform is equipped with a tri-axial accelerometer, which records the impact signal when the headform is dropped in free fall. The signal is then analyzed to calculate both the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) value and Gmax. To determine the critical fall height, the test is repeated at various heights of fall.

Features

  • Compliant with EN1177:2018 and World Rugby protocol
  • Wireless device
  • All data storage in smarphone (Android)
  • Quick data read
  • Custom configurable parameter
  • Latest Bluetooth technology