1. Chapter 7: Protective Gear and Sports Equipment
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Selection, fitting and maintenance of protective equipment are critical in injury prevention
Athletic trainers must have knowledge of protective equipment available for different sports and proper fitting procedures
Protection is critical in ________ and ________ sports
Athletic trainers must also have knowledge of how and when protective equipment should be used to facilitate rehabilitation
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3. Safety Standards for Equipment and Facilities
Concerns relative to materials, durability, establishment of standards, manufacturing, testing methods, and requirements for use
Must be in place relative to maintenance
Concern should be __________ ability not appearance of equipment
A number of groups and agencies are involved in standardizing sports equipment and facilities
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Legal Concerns
Increasing amount of litigation regarding equipment
Must foresee all uses and misuses and warn user against potential risks inherent in equipment misuse
If equipment results in injury due to ________ or inadequacy for intended use manufacturer is liable
If equipment is ________ --modifier becomes liable
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To avoid litigation, individuals should follow specific use instructions of equipment exactly
If the athletic trainer’s modification results in injury the AT and the institution are subject to a suit (tort)
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6. Equipment Reconditioning and Recertification
National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) established voluntary testing standards in an effort to reduce head injuries
Established for ________ helmets, ________/________ helmets, _______ helmets/facemasks
Takes into consideration type of helmet and amount of and intensity of usage
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NOCSAE helmet standard: Every __ years
Not a warranty
Indicates that helmet met requirements of performance tests when manufactured/re-conditioned
Helmets should undergo regular recertification and reconditioning
Will allow equipment to meet necessary standards for multiple seasons
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8. Off the Shelf vs. Custom Protective Equipment
Off the shelf equipment
Pre-made and packaged
Can be used immediately
Neoprene sleeves, inserts, ankle braces
May pose problem relative to sizing
Customized equipment
Constructed according to the individual
Specifically sized and designed for protective and supportive needs
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Head Protection
Direct collision sports require head protection due to impacts, forces, velocities and implements
Football Helmets
NOCSAE develop standards for football helmet certification
Must be _________ against concussive force
While helmets must be certified, they may not always be fail-safe
Athletes and parents must be aware of inherent risks
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Each helmet must have visible exterior warning label
Label indicates that helmet should not be used to strike an opponent due to risk of injury
Also indicates risk of injury accidentally and that athlete plays at own risk while using helmet
Athlete must be aware of risks and what label indicates
Athlete reads and signs statement regarding warning label
There are a number of helmet manufacturers, and even more have closed due to lawsuits and liability cases
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Figure 7-1
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Football helmets generally have air or fluid-filled pockets to absorb force
Riddell Revolution has made revolutionary changes
Computer designed helmet that extends further past the jaw for additional protection and stability
The distance between the helmet and head has been increased
Padding inflates to fit the player’s head shape
The face guard system has isolated attachment points from the shell, reducing jarring from low-level impacts to the face guard
Xenith helmet has thermoplastic airflow shock absorbers in a flexible cap
Said to adapt to force of impact and dissipate energy
Decreases acceleration of head and reduces jarring associated with concussions
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Figure 7-2
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Helmet Fitting
When fitting head/hair should be ____ to simulate sweat
Follow manufacturer’s directions
Must routinely check fit
______ fit (credit card test)
With change in altitude bladder helmets must be rechecked
______ ______(2, 4, or 6 strap systems)
____ _____are essential (prevent lateral rocking)
Certification is of no avail if helmet is not fit and maintained
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Figure 7-3
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Figure 7-4
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17. Baseball Batting Helmets
Must withstand high velocity impacts
Research has indicated that helmet does little to dissipate energy of ball
Possible solution would be to add additional external padding
Helmet must still carry ________ stamp (similar to football label)
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Figure 7-5
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Soccer Headgear
Designed to reduce incidence of concussions due to heading ball
Consists of headband with foam padding
No research to support effectiveness in reducing incidence of concussions
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Face Protection
Four categories
Face Guard
Has reduced the number of facial injuries
Number of concussions has increased because head is most often used in initial contact
There are a variety of protective options depending on sport and position
Proper mounting of the mask must occur with no additional attachments that would invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty
All mountings must be flush to the helmet
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Throat Protection
Laryngotracheal injuries, while uncommon can be fatal
Baseball catchers, lacrosse goalies and ice hockey goalies are most at risk
Should be mandatory in these sports
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Figure 7-8, 7-9, 7-10
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Mouth Guards
Most dental injuries can be prevented with appropriate customized intraoral mouth guards
Protect teeth, minimize lip lacerations, absorb shock of chin blows, and prevent concussions
Should fit __________, not impede speech or breathing
Should extend back as far as last ________
Constructed of flexible resilient material formed to fit teeth and upper jaw
DO NOT CUT DOWN MOUTH GUARD as it voids warranty for dental protection and could become dislodged and disrupt breathing
Three types
Stock
Commercial (formed following submersion in water)
Custom (fabricated from dental mold)
Mandated use in high school and collegiate levels
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Ear Guards
Most sports do not use
__________, water polo and boxing utilize to prevent ear irritation and ultimately deformity of ears
Eye Protection
__________ percentage of eye injuries are sports related
Generally blunt trauma
Glasses
May slip on sweat, become bent, fog, detract from peripheral vision or be difficult to wear with headgear
Properly fitting glasses can provide adequate protection
Lens should be case hardened to cause crumbling and not splintering on contact (disadvantage = increased weight)
May have polarizing/tinting ability
Plastic lenses while lightweight are easy to scratch
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Figure 7-13
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26. Trunk and Thorax Protection
Essential in many sports
Must protect regions that are exposed to the impact of forces
External genitalia, bony protuberances, __________, ______, and ______
While equipment may provide armor, it may also be used as an implement
Question must be asked concerning necessity of equipment and its role in producing trauma
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Figure 7-14
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Football Shoulder Pads
Two types
____________ - bulkier and used by those engaged in blocking and tackling
____-____________ - do not restrict motion (quarterback and receivers)
Rules of fitting
Width of shoulders must be measured
Inside of pad should cover tip of shoulder in line with lateral aspect of shoulder
Epaulets and cups must cover deltoid and allow motion
________ opening must allow athlete to raise arms over head w/out pads sliding forward and back
With split clavicle pads, channel for top of shoulder must be in proper position
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Non-cantilevered
Cantilevered
Figure 7-15
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Figure 7-16
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Straps underneath arms should hold pads firmly in-place, w/out soft tissue restriction
Combinations of padding (football and hockey) may be used to supplement padding and protection
Figure 7-17
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32. Thorax and Rib Protection
Thorax protectors and ____ ______
Protect against external forces
Air-inflated interconnected cylinders (jacket design)
Figure 7-20

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Hips and Buttocks
Required in ______ and high-velocity sports
Boxing, snow skiers, equestrians, jockeys and water skiers
________ and belt types
Figure 7-21
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Groin and Genitalia
Sports involving high velocity projectiles
Require cup protection for male participants
Stock item that fits into jockstrap or athletic supporter
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Foam: many uses with many densities
Resilient, non-absorbent material that protects against compressive force
Open vs. closed cells (return to shape)
Thermomoldable
Some have viscoelastic polymers and are energy absorbent
Non-yielding Materials
Thermomoldable plastics
Used in orthotics, braces, splints and for shielding body parts
Casting, support for foot, protect contusions
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Figure 7-33 & 7-34
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Types
Heat forming - heat and can be molded (Orthoplast)
Heat plastic foams- different densities due to the addition of liquids, gas, or crystals
Commonly used in shoe inserts
Casting Materials
Casting has long been a practice in sports medicine
Fiberglass is the material of choice, which uses resin and catalytic converter, plus water to produce hardening
Effective shell for splinting and padding
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Figure 7-36
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Tools for Customizing
Adhesives (glues and cements)
Adhesive tapes
Heat Source (used to form thermomoldable plastics/foams)
Shaping Tools (scissors, blades, knives)
Fastening material (variety of devices including snaps, Velcro, rivets, laces
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Dynamic Splints
Used for injuries to the hands and fingers
Provides long duration tension on healing structures
Combination of thermomoldable plastic, elastic and Velcro
Figure 7-38
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