Protective Equipment

Why use protective equipment? Increases the impact area Disperses impact to another body part Limit relative motion of a body part Reduce friction

Types of injuries Focal Diffuse Concentrated in a small area Low-mass, high-velocity impact Diffuse Spread over a larger area Low-velocity, high-mass impact

Causes of injury Illegal play Poor technique Inadequate conditioning Poorly matched player levels Previously injured area Low tolerance to injury Poor quality, maintenance, or cleanliness of protective equipment

Head protection Football Helmets National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) Must protect against concussive forces Warning is placed on all helmets Air and fluid bladders Chin straps and jaw pads

Helmet Warning Do not strike an opponent with any pary of this helmet or face mask. This is a violation of football rules and may cause you to suffer severe brain or neck injury, including paralysis or death. Severe brain or neck injury may also occur accidentally while playing football. NO HELMET CAN PREVENT ALL SUCH INJURIES. USE THIS HELMET AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Head protection Ice hockey (Canadian standards Association) Baseball and Lacrosse (NOCSAE)

Fitting a Football Helmet

Football helmet fitting Measure head and choose appropriate helmet size Fits snugly around all parts of head Cover whole head Occipital

Football helmet fitting 2 fingers above the eyebrows (3/4”) Ear holes match ears Helmet does not shift when force is applied

Football helmet fitting Chin strap equal distance from center of helmet Strap holds helmet in place Cheek pads fit snuggly Face mask attached securely to helmet and 3 fingers from nose

Types of Protective Equipment

Face protection Facemask Ear guard Eye protection Wrestling, water polo, boxing Eye protection Racquetball, Squash, Handball, swimming

Face protection Mouthpiece Protected teeth and head Tight fit Comfort of gum line No restriction of breathing Does not extend past last molar

Trunk and thorax protection Rib pads Breast Support Hips and Thighs Groin and Genitalia Shoulder pads

Fitting Shoulder Pads

Shoulder Pads Measure width of shoulders to determine proper size of pads Inside shoulder pad covers tip of shoulder Cups cover deltoid

Shoulder pads Cover Sternum Pads allow movement required by position Allows athlete to raise arms overhead without pad sliding back and forth Straps underneath arms hold shoulder pads in place

Shin and knee Shin Knee Commonly neglected Brace Sleeve Pads Custom fit Sleeve Pads

Elbow, wrist, and hand Elbow Wrist Hand Valgus/varus forces Abrasions Limit ROM Impact protection Hand Contusions and repetitive blows

ankle Tape Lace up brace Active ankle Sleeve