Prevention of Commotio Cordis in Baseball: An Evaluation of Chest Protectors

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Abstract
In a recent study of fatal chest impacts by baseballs, 28% of the children were wearing a chest protector. This study evaluates the effectiveness of chest protectors in reducing the risk of commotio cordis. Five commercially available chest protectors were placed on a three-rib structure simulating the chest and impacted at 40, 50, 60, and 70 miles per hour by a standard baseball. Ten repeated tests were conducted on each vest in random order, and on the control (unprotected chest). The viscous response (or viscous criterion [VC]) was used to assess differences in fatality risk. One vest had a statistically lower VC (average, 50.6%, p Conclusions The majority of commercially available chest protectors fail to provide consistent reductions in commotio cordis risk. Nonetheless, there are benefits from their use in baseball until improved safety equipment is developed and standard tests are established to assess sport equipment effectiveness.

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