Sensitized very early on to this issue during his 15-year professional career, Mathieu Falbriard pushed his thinking further at the École polytechnique de Lausanne during his doctorate in movement analysis.
This is where the idea of developing sensors and algorithms to provide real-time assessment of concussion risk emerged.
Two years ago, he teamed up with another engineer, Tom Bertrand, a former rugby player, also sensitive to the problems of cranial shocks. Together they founded the Bearmind company.
He talks enthusiastically about the revolutionary helmet they have developed.
:where it took place, the angle. And with all this information, we have algorithms that estimate the risk potentials within the brain.”,”text”:”It’s a technology that is made up of two types of sensors, he explained to Radio -Canada Sports from Switzerland. There is a motion sensor that will give us information on how the helmet moves during impact and there are force sensors inside the helmet that give us information on the intensity of this impact. :where it took place, the angle. And with all this information, we have algorithms that estimate the risk potentials within the brain.””>It is a technology that is made up of two types of sensors, he explained to Radio-Canada Sports from Switzerland. There is a motion sensor that will give us information on how the helmet moves during impact and there are force sensors inside the helmet that give us information on the intensity of this impact. : where it took place, the angle. And with all this information, we have algorithms that estimate the risk potentials within the brain.
Mathieu Falbriard thinks that next season, all data can be transmitted in real time.
This year, it was at the end of the matches that we could provide this report. But it is clear that we do not want to replace the role of the doctor. There will always be a need for a doctor. What we do is give the doctor additional information to help in their diagnosis. Our short-term objective is to be able to intervene during matches, in real time, to provide all information on the risks of returning to play for the player.
he added.
But our analysis does not stop there. We can also give the doctor more long-term information on the state of health of the player who has suffered too many impacts. These algorithms therefore make it possible to analyze the force of the impact and the state of health of the player. We will be able to compare them to the history of the player, but also of other players, which will allow us to know if the impact has already been observed and what are the common symptoms.
he said.
« All this will prevent dramatic stories or career endings that will have long-term consequences on the health of players. »
The marriage of these sensors integrated into helmets and algorithms will allow better monitoring of cognitive performance in sport, but also in other areas at risk, according to him.
The process has already moved beyond clinical trials and is now available to professional hockey teams in Switzerland. Lausanne HC and HC Lajoie, where Mathieu Falbriard played, are among those who use them.
We know that in high performance sport, players, coaches and management personnel can often hide certain symptoms and accelerate the return to play, depending on the importance of the match or competition. When he speaks to them, does Mathieu Falbriard feel like a small pebble in the shoe?
We don’t want to constantly take a player out of the ice, replied the engineer. We are well aware that the player wants to play, the club wants his player to play as long as possible. Our goal is to allow the club to be more proactive in this management of detected impacts to the head and not just wait for the concussion or the big concussion which means that the player will be out for several months.
When he and his partner approached the professional teams, the reception was rather cold at first, because the interests of the researchers do not necessarily cross those of the managers.
grams, so compared with the weight of a helmet, it’s nothing at all and all of this was very well received”,”text”:”Discussing with the various players in this ecosystem, it was necessary that the we adapt to their reality, to their daily lives. They quickly understood that all this information which radiates within the club has a certain importance. Today, all players who have been offered the system use it. It even reassures them to know that it is studied, modulated and that if there is an alert, the doctor will be informed. In addition, the sensor weighs 25 grams, so compared with the weight of a helmet, it’s nothing at all and all this has been very well received””>By discussing with the various players in this ecosystem, we had to adapt to their reality, to their daily lives. They quickly understood that all this information which radiates within the club has a certain importance. Today, all players who have been offered the system use it. It even reassures them to know that it is studied, modulated and that if there is an alert, the doctor will be informed. In addition, the sensor weighs 25 grams, so compared with the weight of a helmet, it is nothing at all and all this has been very well received
did he declare.
With all this data collected over the past year, scientific rigor no longer needs to be proven. The Bearmind company works with four laboratories, two from the École Polytechnique de Lausanne and two from the University Hospital of Lausanne.
In a few months, they will publish the results of all their tests. Ultimately, this system will allow the athlete and his team to have a follow-up of neurological health.
A collaboration with Montreal
Mathieu Falbriard and his partner come regularly to Montreal, a hub in helmet manufacturing. They still had to convince before finding a manufacturer.
I wouldn’t hide from you that there are a few studies like ours that have been offered to them. Obviously not as successful. Once convinced, we found our manufacturer and since then have made many trips to improve our system.
he concluded.
Mathieu Falbriard told us that four new professional hockey teams in Switzerland will adopt their system next season. When asked if he thinks he could one day be adopted by the Montreal Canadiens, his eyes light up as if he had just received his Christmas present.
A case to follow.