title: The most cut-resistant neck guard for preventing lacerations to the neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of neck guard brands when contacted by a sharpened hockey skate blade.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analytic experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neck surrogate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-six samples of 14 different types of neck guards were tested on a custom-made laceration machine using a neck surrogate. Closed-cell polyethylene foam was placed between the neck surrogate and the protective device.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effectiveness of the neck guard was evaluated by observation of the foam after the simulated slicing action of the skate blade. Two sets of tests were performed on each device sample including low and high force. For low-force tests, initial compression loads of 100, 200, and 300 N were applied between the neck surrogate for each of 2 orientations of the blade at 45 and 90 degrees. For high-force tests, representing a more severe simulation, the applied load was increased to 600 N and a blade angle fixed at 45 degrees. All tests were performed at a blade speed of 5 m/s.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 1 product, the Bauer N7 Nectech, failed during the 300-N compression tests. All of the neck guards failed during 600-N test condition except for the Skate Armor device and 1 of the 3 Reebok 11K devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A skate blade angle of 45 degrees increased the likelihood of a neck laceration compared with a skate blade angle of 90 degrees due to decreased contact area. Damage to the neck guard is not an indicator of the cut resistance of a neck guard. Neck protectors with Spectra fibers were the most cut resistant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides data for the selection of neck guards and neck guard materials that can reduce lacerations to the neck.
authors.affiliation: *Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; †Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; ‡Sports Medicine Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and §Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Andre M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Loyd
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berglund
authors.forename: Casey P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Twardowski
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Aynsley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Daniel V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Gaz
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Kai-Nan
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011481:Protective Clothing