An American National Standard

Designation: F 2397 – 04

Standard Specification for

Protective Headgear Used in Martial Arts1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2397; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 4. Significance and Use

1.1 This specification covers performance requirements for The purpose of this specification is to provide reliable and
head protection used for training and competition in martial repeatable test methods for the evaluation of protective head-
arts such as karate, wushu, and taekwondo, where normal gear for martial arts training and competition. Injuries resulting
contact between participants may be repeated, but is limited to from accidentally hard hand-to-head impacts, foot-to-head
a level that is not intended to produce injury. These activities impacts, and head-to-ground impacts may be decreased in
typically take place in indoor or outdoor environments where severity and, in some cases, prevented. No headgear can
the temperature is moderate. This specification recognizes the protect against all impacts, foreseeable or not. Forces resulting
desirability of a lightweight and streamlined construction, and from strikes to the head due to kicks, punches, and falls are not
ventilation; however it is a performance specification, and is well understood. The mechanism of possible injury is not
not intended to restrict design. addressed in this specification.
1.2 All testing and requirements of this specification shall
be in accordance with Test Methods F 1446, except where 5. Certification
noted in this specification. 5.1 See Test Methods F 1446.
1.3 Partial utilization of this standard is prohibited. Any
statement of compliance with this specification shall be a 6. Apparatus
certification that the product meets all of the requirements of 6.1 Test Headforms—Headforms to be used for the stability
the specification in its entirety. A product that fails to meet any and falling impact tests in this specification are as defined in
one of the requirements of this specification is considered to Test Methods F 1446. The appropriate size headform shall be
have failed the specification, and shall not be distributed or selected for the headgear to be tested. For the striking impact
sold with any indication that it meets parts of the specification. tests in this specification, it is acceptable to use the appropriate
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the size Hybrid III head- and neck-forms.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 6.2 Stability Test Instruments and Equipment—Stability test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- instruments and equipment shall be in accordance with the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- requirements of the roll-off test described in Test Methods
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. F 1446.
6.3 Falling Impact Test Instruments and Equipment—
2. Referenced Documents Impact test instruments and equipment for falling impact shall
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 be in accordance with the requirements of Test Methods
F 1446 Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used F 1446, using the flat anvil described in Test Methods F 1446.
in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protec- 6.4 Striking Impact Instruments and Equipment—All tests
tive Headgear for striking impact shall be performed with a Hybrid III
headform and neck. A tri-axial accelerometer capable of
3. Terminology measuring impact of at least 1000-G and frequencies greater
3.1 See Test Methods F 1446. than 3 kHz, mounted at the center of mass of the headform,
shall be used to measure the resultant acceleration of the
1
headform. The headform and neck are to be rigidly connected
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports at the neck to a 25-kg steel mass, and suspended head-down on
Equipment and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F08.53 on
Headgear and Helmets. a flexible joint. The striker shall be an aluminum tube with a
Current edition approved May 1, 2004. Published May 2004. length of 500 6 5 mm from its pivot point to the strike point,
extend an additional 50 6 5 mm beyond the strike point, and
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
have an external diameter of 80 6 5 mm. The mass of the tube
the ASTM website. shall be 4.5 6 0.2 kg, uniformly distributed along its length.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 F 2397 – 04
The striker shall be loaded with a spring or a falling mass, such 9. Conditioning Environments
that when the striker is rotated back and released, it rotates 9.1 See Test Methods F 1446. Only the ambient, high
forward toward the headform and strikes it at the designated temperature, and water immersion environments shall be used.
points. No force is to be applied to the striker by the spring or
falling mass once the striker rotates forward beyond the initial 10. Test Schedule
impact point, however, the striker must be free to rotate 10.1 One sample from each size group to be tested will be
forward after impact. Rotating the striker further backwards inspected according to the schedule listed in Test Methods
before releasing it can increase the striking speed. The terminal F 1446.
speed impact shall be measured within 100 mm of the point of 10.2 Two headgear will be assigned to the ambient condi-
free rotation. A schematic diagram of a typical striking impact tioning environment. Two headgear will be assigned to each of
tester is shown in Fig. 1. the other two conditioning environments.
10.3 Testing will be performed in the following order:
7. Samples for Testing 10.3.1 Retention test
7.1 Conditions and attachments in accordance with Test 10.3.2 Low-energy falling impact test.
Methods F 1446. 10.3.3 High-energy falling impact test.
7.2 Number of Samples—A test normally requires seven 10.3.4 Low-energy striking impact test.
samples of each size. All testing may be done on two size 10.3.5 High-energy striking impact test.
groups only if the material, material thickness, and construc- 10.4 Testing must be complete 30 min after initial removal
tion of all the sizes are the same, that is, differing in coverage from the conditioning environment. Once testing has begun on
area only. If only two size groups are tested, the sizes must a sample, all tests on that sample must be completed within 3
represent the largest and smallest sizes that will fit the min. For each minute, or fraction thereof, this time limit is
appropriate headform. If the material, material thickness, or exceeded, the sample must be returned to the conditioning
construction is different between each size, then all sizes must environment for an additional 5 min.
be tested.
11. Test Methods
8. Calibration and Standardization 11.1 Reference Marking:
11.1.1 Place the headgear on the appropriate headform in
8.1 See Test Methods F 1446. accordance with Test Methods F 1446. Pre-load with a ballast
of 5 kg.
11.1.2 Draw lines A-B-C-D-E on the headgear as shown in
Fig. 2. This represents the test line for impact in the frontal,
temporal, and occipital directions. Lines A-B-C and D-E are
parallel to the reference and basic planes. Line B-D is
co-planar with the coronal plane. The center of impact may be
selected to be anywhere on or between the test lines.3
11.2 Configuration:
11.2.1 In general, the headgear shall be constructed to
reduce the acceleration of the wearer’s head and to remain on
the wearer’s head during and after impact. The headgear shall
also include the following features.
11.2.2 Openings—The headgear shall be designed so that
the ears have a connection to the environment to enable the
wearer to hear, as well as to prevent air pressure damage
caused by blows to the ear. There shall also be an alternate air
path for relieving pressure to the ears in case a blow to the ear
seals all of the connections. This alternate air path shall be
constructed such that a rigid 6-mm diameter rod can pass
unobstructed from each ear to the environment.
11.2.3 External Surface—The headgear must be cushioned
externally to prevent injury to the striking implement, presum-
ably a foot, hand, or another part of the body. The external
surfaces of the headgear, including any exposed hard buckles
or fasteners, shall be cushioned with the equivalent of at least
6 mm of a material with a maximum durometer hardness of 40
on the Shore A scale.

3
The Hybrid III 50th percentile male head corresponds to ASTM headform size
FIG. 1 Striking Impact Test. J.

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 F 2397 – 04

ASTM X Y R S
Headform Size mm mm mm mm

A 24.0 89.7 38.0 7.0

E 26.0 96.0 39.0 8.0

J 27.5 102.5 41.0 8.0

M 29.0 107.0 41.0 8.0

O 31.0 110.0 42.0 9.0

FIG. 2 Marking the Test Line

11.3 Materials:
11.3.1 See Test Methods F 1446.
11.4 Labels and Warnings:
11.4.1 Each headgear shall be labeled in accordance with
Test Methods F 1446.
11.4.2 Each headgear shall also have instructions indicating
that the headgear is designed to be used for martial arts training
and competition. It should also inform the user that it is not
designed to protect against possible trauma resulting from full
contact strikes to the head. It is designed to provide protection
from light and incidental impacts that may occur while
engaging in martial arts training and competition where normal
contact between participants is limited to a level that is not
intended to produce injury. While headgear is designed to
decrease the chance of having a head injury or decrease its
severity, no headgear can prevent all head injuries.
11.4.3 Each headgear shall also have instructions for
method and frequency of self-inspection for damage, and for
disposal after a period of time.
11.5 Projections:
11.5.1 Any internal projections must be in accordance with
Test Methods F 1446.
11.5.2 External Projections—Any external rigid projections FIG. 3 Vision requirements
that can contact the striker during impact shall be protected by
means of cushioning. Verify that if projections are present, they
are protected. Projections may not extend beyond the exterior the drop height shall be 600 6 10 mm. One sample of the
surface more than 25 mm. headgear conditioned to the ambient environment will be used
11.6 Vision—Vision testing is defined in Test Methods for this test.
F 1446. The vision shall be unobstructed through an angle of 11.8 Low-Energy Falling Impact Test — This test consists
105°, minimum, on either side of the midsagittal plane. The of three sequential impacts, on the same headgear at the same
vision shall be unobstructed through an angle of 25°, mini- location, with less than 1 min between each impact. Four
mum, upward from the reference plane. The vision shall be different sites will be tested on the same headgear.
unobstructed through an angle of 45° downward from the basic 11.8.1 Performance Requirements—The maximum accel-
plane. These angles are shown in Fig. 3. eration measured during any impact, cannot exceed 100-G. In
11.7 Stability (Roll-off) Test—Roll-off testing is defined in addition, the retention system must remain intact and the
Test Methods F 1446. The drop-mass shall be 2 6 0.1 kg and headgear must remain on the headform during impact testing.

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 F 2397 – 04
11.8.2 Test Details—The impact testing shall be performed 11.10.2.2 Prior to each test, position and secure the head-
in accordance with the procedures in Test Methods F 1446 gear on the test headform as in accordance with Test Methods
unless otherwise noted. F 1446.
11.8.2.1 Four impact sites will be defined by the test 11.10.2.3 The striker shall be rotated backwards, extending
technician and should represent the sites with the greatest risk the spring, and released so that the striker impacts the head-
of failure. The sites shall be centered anywhere on or between form. The impact shall achieve an impact velocity of 5 6 0.3
the test lines. m/s. Measure the resulting acceleration time history of the
11.8.2.2 The headgear shall be dropped onto the flat anvil. headform.
The impact shall achieve an impact velocity of 3.0 6 0.15 m/s. 11.10.2.4 Reposition the headgear as necessary and repeat
Measure the resulting acceleration time history of the head- the impact within a 1-min time frame for a total of three strikes.
form. 11.10.2.5 Repeat the testing for each environmental condi-
11.8.2.3 Reposition the headgear as necessary and repeat the tion and each impact site, for a total of 36 impacts.
drop within a 1-min time frame for a total of three drops at each 11.11 High-Energy Striking Impact Test—This test consists
site. of one impact on the same headgear at four different sites. This
11.8.2.4 Repeat the testing for each impact site and each test is possibly destructive, thus the headgear should be
environmental condition, for a total of 36 impacts. inspected for damage according to the manufacturer’s instruc-
11.9 High-Energy Falling Impact Test—This test consists of tions for self-inspection. Damaged headgear shall not be used
a single impact at four different sites on the same headgear. for any other tests.
This test is possibly destructive, thus the headgear should be 11.11.1 Performance Requirements—The maximum accel-
inspected for damage according to the manufacturer’s instruc- eration measured during impact cannot exceed 150-G. In
tions for self-inspection. Damaged headgear shall not be used addition, the retention system must remain intact and the
for any other tests. headgear must remain on the headform during impact testing.
11.9.1 Performance Requirements—The maximum accel- 11.11.2 Test Details—The impact testing shall be performed
eration measured during impact cannot exceed 300-G. In with the apparatus specified in Section 6.
addition, the retention system must remain intact and the 11.11.2.1 Four impact sites will be defined by the test
headgear must remain on the headform during impact testing. technician and should represent the sites on the frontal,
11.9.2 Test Details—The impact testing shall be performed occipital, and temporal areas (on both sides of the headform)
in accordance with the procedures of Test Methods F 1446 with the greatest risk of failure. Each test shall be centered on
unless otherwise noted. or between the test lines.
11.9.2.1 Four impact sites will be defined by the test 11.11.2.2 Prior to each test, position and secure the headgear
technician and should represent the sites with the greatest risk on the test headform as per Test Methods F 1446.
of failure. The sites shall be centered anywhere on, or between, 11.11.2.3 The striker shall be rotated backwards, extending
the test lines. the spring, and released so that the striker impacts the head-
11.9.2.2 The headgear shall be dropped on to the flat anvil. form. The impact shall achieve an impact velocity of 8 6 0.5
The impact shall achieve an impact velocity of 4.0 6 0.2 m/s. m/s. Measure the resulting acceleration time history of the
Measure the resulting acceleration time history of the head- headform.
form. 11.11.2.4 Repeat the testing for each environmental condi-
11.9.2.3 Repeat the testing for each impact site and each tion and each impact site, for a total of twelve impacts.
environmental condition, for a total of twelve impacts. 11.12 High and Low Speed Errors—If the impact speed for
11.10 Low-Energy Striking Impact Test—This test consists any impact test exceeds the specified maximum test speed, and
of three sequential impacts with less than one minute between the resultant headform acceleration is below the allowable G
each impact. The impacts shall be on the same headgear at the level for that nominal speed, the data for that test is considered
same site for four different sites. acceptable for that nominal speed. If the impact speed for any
11.10.1 Performance Requirements—The maximum accel- impact test is below the specified minimum test speed, and the
eration measured during any impact cannot exceed 50-G. In resultant headform acceleration exceeds the allowable G level
addition, the retention system must remain intact and the for that nominal speed, the data for that test is considered
headgear must remain on the headform during impact testing. acceptable for that nominal speed.
11.10.2 Test Details—The impact testing shall be performed 12. Reporting
with the apparatus specified in Section 6. 12.1 Reporting shall be in accordance with the requirements
11.10.2.1 Four impact sites will be defined by the test of Test Methods F 1446.
technician and should represent the sites on the frontal,
occipital, and temporal areas (on both sides of the headform) 13. Keywords
with the greatest risk of failure. Each test shall be centered on 13.1 headgear; helmet(s); karate; martial arts; protective
or between the test lines. headgear; taekwondo; wushu

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