Football players endure an entire career of brain-bashing to entertain the masses. Military members, too, are prone to sustain head injuries both during training and in the field. It thus makes sense for the Army and the NFL to collaborate on a better way to prevent and treat concussions.

Both organizations have long relied on one-size-fits-all headgear to protect their soldiers and players. These helmets may soon be in for an upgrade. Army Research Laboratory scientists are currently testing a “smart strap” system that automatically tightens when the helmet receives a hard blow. This system should minimize whiplash and blunt head trauma.

“If you pull it slowly, it stretches and relaxes slowly,” said Eric Wetzel, one of the Army’s research scientists. “If you try to pull it quickly, it takes 100 times more force.”

This is the same principal that allows seat belts to protect drivers and passengers during a car accident.

“Our technology slows the head during the swing so that when the head-to-ground impact occurs, it is with less force and velocity,” Wetzel explained.

The NFL has a financial stake in minimizing brain injuries in its players. Thanks to a series of damning studies, exposes and a new feature film called ‘Concussion,’ football fans are waking up to the reality of how the game they love hurts the athletes who play it. To quench criticism and stop players from becoming injured, the NFL has also partnered with Under Armour to design safer helmets that are still cool.

“We don’t make helmets. There may be no commercial opportunity for us in this at the end,” said Sam McCleery, a vice president at Under Armour. “But it’s something that’s important. Under Armour’s brand was born on the field. With [CEO Kevin Plank] as a player, we have a heritage with the game.”