Western Pennsylvania is known for its hard-nosed football, and the medical community has tapped into that in an attempt to keep players safer.

A three-year study involving more than 2,000 players at 17 Western Pennsylvania high schools determined that newer helmet technology and design might reduce the number of concussions among football players.

The study, conducted by UPMC's Sports Medicine Concussion Program and published next month in the scientific journal, Neurosurgery, showed that annual concussion rates in players who wore the Riddell Revolution helmet was 5.4 percent, and those wearing standard models designed earlier by Riddell and others was 7.6 percent.

In terms of relative risk, those who wore the Revolution were 31 percent less likely to get a concussion than those who wore standard helmets.

It is the first such study using on-the-field data.

The Revolution, which came on the market in 2002, was developed after bio-mechanical lab-testing and with the intent of reducing the likelihood of concussions. Among other things, the tests found that there was more need for protection from side-impact, or head-twisting, hits.

"By continuing this type of study long term, we will be able to obtain real-life data and increase our knowledge and understanding of how sports helmet technology and design may be effective in reducing the incidence of concussion in athletes," said Dr. Mark Lovell, director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.

The study results come with a caution. There were no statistical differences in length of recovery from concussion based on helmet design.

Across both groups, 50 percent of concussed athletes recovered within a week, 70 percent recovered within two weeks and about 15 percent needed three or more weeks for full recovery.

"Perhaps, the most striking finding of our study is that even seemingly mild concussions often required weeks for recovery to be complete," said Dr. Michael Collins, assistant director of the concussion program.

UPMC has been assessing and monitoring athletes with ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) for some time.

"Clearly, at this point, no helmet or other technology is available to prevent concussions from occurring, but it is exciting to see that definite strides are being made from both an equipment and clinical-management perspective aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of concussive injury," said Dr. Joseph Maroon, co-author of the study and Pitt professor of neurological surgery.