The National Football League suspended helmet sensor use in a voluntary pilot program designed for researchers to collect data about how often, and hard, players are hit in the head, according to a New York Times report.
Players participated in the program beginning in 2013 and while researchers now have data on around 11,000 impacts, they are having trouble identifying the exact location and severity of the impact, and the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee halted sensor use to see if there are better systems available.
The NFL Players Association is also questioning whether this data could be used against payers. Here are five things to know:
1. Physicians on the head, neck and spine committee questioned whether the data was reliable, and it seems sensors were less accurate if the helmet was not on squarely.
2. Despite questions around the data, the head and neck committee plan to continue reviewing and analyzing the research.
3. There are some researchers who dispute the league's decision, saying the NFL is being too careful. Even with 10 percent or 20 percent error rate, data from sensors could be valuable.
4. Initially, the NFL hoped sensors would help them gather data about harmful hits to potentially change rules.
5. This decision could impact other research and information about the impact of physical plays in the NFL.