By: Joah Faiello
Recent groundbreaking studies by Virginia Tech University, a leader in sports equipment testing, have revolutionized the boxing world in collaboration with the innovative brand Hit N Move. Their joint efforts have led to the development and validation of Hit N Move’s new ultra-slim and lightweight Precision headgear. This headgear has been proven to provide protection on par with the best models currently available, despite its significantly lighter and slimmer design. This achievement marks a potential paradigm shift in the sport of boxing, promising enhanced safety and performance for athletes.
The Critical Need for Advanced Protective Gear
In boxing, where protection can critically impact an athlete’s long-term health, advancements in gear are indispensable. Despite extensive research on brain health protection in sports like American football, standardized testing for boxing headgear has been significantly overlooked. Leveraging its extensive expertise from studying football helmets, Virginia Tech has now ventured into the realm of boxing, addressing this crucial gap.
The Visionary Initiative of Hit N Move
About three years ago, Ozhan Akcakaya, founder of Hit N Move and a licensed amateur boxer with a professional background in the orthopedic industry, identified a glaring gap in the market. Existing boxing headgear was bulky, heavy, and had seen minimal innovation over the years. Determined to offer better protection, Akcakaya embarked on a mission to develop superior boxing headgear.
Many boxers, including Akcakaya, spar without headgear due to the limited visibility and mobility of traditional designs. This challenge inspired the creation of Hit N Move’s advanced headgear. Collaborating with professional boxing coach Bruce Babashan, the team conceptualized a slimmer, lighter headgear focusing on vulnerable areas like the temple, chin, cheeks, and back of the head.
Development and Testing: A Rigorous Process
The journey to perfect the Precision headgear involved numerous design iterations, with over 20 failed attempts before achieving the desired model. To validate its efficacy, Hit N Move partnered with Virginia Tech to establish the first-ever standardized testing protocol for boxing headgear.
The rigorous tests involved a 16oz weight on a pendulum swung at three different energy levels, measuring the impact with and without headgear. They tested various models, including Japanese, Mexican, USA Boxing headgear, and multiple versions of Precision headgear. Each energy level was tested on the chin, temple, cheeks, and back of the head, three times on each part for all three energy levels on every headgear tested.
Photo Courtesy: Hit N Move
Significant Findings from Virginia Tech’s Study
Virginia Tech’s research confirmed that wearing headgear significantly reduces the risk of concussions compared to not wearing any, highlighting the essential role of headgear in sparring sessions. This evidence is crucial for boxers, reinforcing the need for protective equipment.
Despite being 5 ounces lighter and much slimmer than the leading Japanese model, Hit N Move’s headgear performed comparably in all tested categories. Virginia Tech approved the use of the word “comparable” to be scientifically accurate, indicating that while the headgear might offer marginally better protection, the difference is minimal. The real innovation lies in achieving these results while being smaller, lighter, and sleeker.
Photo Courtesy: Hit N Move
Community Feedback and Further Testing
In addition to Virginia Tech’s scientific validation, the headgear underwent blind testing in multiple gyms, including Upton Boxing Baltimore, overseen by Head Coach Calvin Ford, who trains world champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. Other participating gyms included STB Boxing Gym in Lorton, VA, Telford Boxing Academy in the UK, and Kaizen MMA in Fairfax, VA.
Boxers tested various headgear models without knowing which brand they were using. After three rounds, they provided feedback on vision, protection, and movement. The responses were overwhelmingly positive, with fighters expressing amazement at the new headgear, noting it felt like wearing no headgear at all while still offering excellent protection.
Photo Courtesy: Hit N Move
The Future of Protective Boxing Equipment
The collaboration between Virginia Tech University and Hit N Move has resulted in a significant advancement in boxing headgear. The ultra-slim and lightweight design of Hit N Move’s headgear not only enhances safety but also improves performance for boxers. This breakthrough underscores the importance of continuous research and development in ensuring athlete safety in contact sports.
Virginia Tech’s approval and the positive feedback from the boxing community validate Hit N Move’s commitment to innovation. This new headgear represents a major step forward, combining superior protection with improved comfort and mobility. As the sport of boxing continues to evolve, advancements like these will play a crucial role in safeguarding athletes and enhancing their performance.
Published by: Khy Talara
