Georgia Southern University officials say the school is using a $385,000 grant to study the impact of concussions on football players.

University President Brooks Keel said Thursday that the school was the recipient of a grant from the National Institutes of Health and is using technology called the Helmet Impact Telemetry System — or HITS — to record every blow taken to the head during games and practice sessions.

The system has been implanted in 40 helmets and officials say six sensors in each helmet measure the severity of impacts to the head.

Professor of athletic training Tom Buckley says the system is not meant for diagnostic or medical purposes, but serves as an early warning indicator to help coaches and athletes try minimizing the risk of injuries.

Tags: football, Georgia Southern University, college football, concussions, georgia southern eagles, helmet sensors