FUEL
IMPACT
SPONSORED CONTENT CASCADE LX continued from page 15
The discussion surrounding protective headgear in women’s lacrosse dates back to the 1980s. In 1986, Massachusetts high school offi cials required players to wear hard ice hockey helmets. The state reversed the mandate 10 years later. New York considered a similar policy in 2012. ESPN drew additional attention to the subject in 2010 with an “E:60” segment that examined a reportedly high incidence of concussions in girls’ lacrosse, featuring two injured players from Pittsburgh.
US Lacrosse urged patience as it worked with ASTM, manufacturers and testing labs to develop a standard. While continuing to fund injury surveillance studies through its Center for Sport Science, US Lacrosse introduced stricter penalties for major fouls, like checks to the head, and broadened its efforts to educate coaches and offi cials. But as more players opted to wear headgear designed for other sports like rugby and soccer — especially in Florida, given its recent mandate — the need for a standard to address what already was allowable within women’s lacrosse rules became evident. “We believe our protective headgear is an important fi rst step in giving our girls equipment and apparel made specifi cally for them,” said Susie Deignan, part-owner and general merchandising manager for Hummingbird Sports. “For far too long, the shrinking and pinking of boys’ products has been their only option. It is our goal to change that.” Because headgear is optional, it must deform on impact so it does not injure other players. Yet it also must be sturdy enough to withstand forces from sticks and balls, making ASTM F3137 a challenging standard to satisfy. “They’re kind of counteracting each
other,” said Jenna Abelli, category launch manager for women’s lacrosse at Sports Performance Group, which owns the Cascade brand. Testing requirements include a 45-mph stick swing simulation and a 60- mph ball impact. The Florida High School Athletic Association will allow only ASTM- approved headgear starting in 2018. USL
16 US LACROSSE MAGAZINE December 2016 Cascade left no stone unturned in its fi rst foray into protective headgear for women’s lacrosse.
The Syracuse-area manufacturer started development of the Cascade LX in January 2014 with certain ground rules. Of course, it had to meet the ASTM standard set forth by US Lacrosse — no easy task, considering the impact and deformation requirements. The LX also would feature an adjustable fi t system for comfort and integrated eyewear for convenience. Lastly, it would bear no visual association to another sport.
Secondary criteria included hair management — “The mirror test is really important,” said Jenna Abelli, category launch manager for women’s lacrosse — weight, ventilation and vision. “Cascade has a strong heritage in head and facial protection in men’s and women’s lacrosse,” Abelli said. “It’s only natural that we wanted to be at the forefront of this product development.”
A closer look at the LX: FLEXIBLE
SHELL For such a sturdy-looking product, the LX is surprisingly fl exible. Its outer shell deforms as needed to keep unprotected players safe. The LX weighs less than one pound.
PORON XRD
Cascade started using this foam-like material in its men’s lacrosse helmets in 2014 to dissipate linear forces from accidental impacts like stick-to-head.
FIT SYSTEM
The adjustable rear strap
accommodates different head shapes and sizes.
INTEGRATED EYEWEAR Deciding that goggles and headgear were not designed to go
together, Cascade included a steel mask with ergonomic shape and open sight lines. The LX relieves the facial pressure many players experience with eyewear. (No more goggle lines!)
Visit cascadelacrosse/lx or call 800-537-1702 for more information on the Cascade LX and its retail availability.
USlacrosse.org
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