Can Helmet Weight Affect Cognitive Performance and Mental Workload? An Experimental Study

Abstract

This study sought to examine the effect of helmet weight on cognitive performance and mental workload. Twenty participants were studied in three one-hour sessions. The participants were asked to read and work with computer under three conditions: while wearing no helmets, while wearing a helmet that weighed 800 g (A), and while wearing a helmet weighing 1500 g (B). “N-back” task and Continuous Performance Test (CPT) were employed to assess cognitive performance, while NASA-TLX and Thermal Comfort and Fatigue Perception Scale were used to evaluate mental work load and comfort. At the end of the intervention sessions, perceived mental workload as well as thermal comfort and fatigue in the head were measured. Moreover, the participants’ cognitive performance was gauged before and after the sessions. The findings revealed that helmet weight had a significant impact on cognitive performance (p<0.001). Nonetheless, no significant difference was detected in the participants’ mental workload before and after the intervention. It was thus argued that helmet weight could affect cognitive performance.Therefore, in designing helmets, the weight of the helmet should be considered as an important factor.