1. 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 protective against concussive force
While helmets must be certified, they may not always be fail-safe
Athletes and parents must be aware of inherent risks

2. 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

4. Helmet Fitting When fitting head/hair should be wet to simulate sweat
Follow manufacturer’s directions
Must routinely check fit
Snug fit (credit card test)
With change in altitude bladder helmets must be rechecked
Chin straps (2, 4, or 6 strap systems)
Jaw pads are essential (prevent lateral rocking)
Certification is of no avail if helmet is not fit and maintained

6. Ice Hockey Helmets
Undergone extensive testing in an effort to upgrade and standardize
Must withstand high velocity impacts (stick or puck) and high mass low velocity impacts
Helmet will disperse force over large area and decelerate forces that would act on head (energy absorption liner)
Helmets must be approved by Canadian Standards Association

8. 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 NOCSAE stamp (similar to football label)

10. Cycling Helmets Designed to protect head during one single impact
Many states require the use of cycling helmets
Especially in adolescents

11. 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

12. In high school hockey, face masks are required (with white plastic coating) that meet Hockey Equipment Certifications Council and American Society for Testing Materials
Opening can not allow passage of sticks or pucks
Additional polycarbonate face shields are also available
The use of throat protectors is also mandated at some levels
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

14. 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 comfortably, not impede speech or breathing
Should extend back as far as last molar
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

15. Ear Guards Eye Protection Most sports do not use
Wrestling, water polo and boxing utilize to prevent ear irritation and ultimately deformity of ears
Eye Protection
Highest percentage of eye injuries are sports related
Generally blunt trauma
Glasses – must be protective
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

16. Contact Lenses Become part of the eye and move with it
Corneal and sclera lenses
Peripheral vision, astigmatisms and corneal waviness is limited
Will not fog and can be tinted
Disadvantages include cost, corneal irritation, possibility of coming dislodged
Soft hydrophilic lenses and disposable lenses are very popular
Introduction of surgical techniques
Radial kerotectomy
Laser in-situ kertomileusis (LASIK)
Safe and effective in improving faulty vision

17. Eye and Glasses Guards Neck Protection
Necessary in sports with fast moving projectiles
Athletes not wearing glasses should wear closed eye guards to protect orbital cavity
While eye guards afford great protection, they can limit vision
Polycarbonate eye shield have been developed for numerous pieces of head gear
Neck Protection
Serve primarily as a reminder to athlete to be cautious rather than providing definitive restrictions

18. Trunk and Thorax Protection
Essential in many sports
Must protect regions that are exposed to the impact of forces
External genitalia, bony protuberances, shoulders, ribs, and spine
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

20. Football Shoulder Pads
Two types
Cantilevered - bulkier and used by those engaged in blocking and tackling
Non-cantilevered - 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
Neck 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

21. Non-cantilevered
Cantilevered

23. 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
Sports Bras
Significant effort has been made to develop athletic support for women
Most designed to minimize excessive vertical and horizontal movements that occur with running and jumping
To be effective, should hold breasts to chest, preventing stretching of Cooper’s ligament

24. Thorax and Rib Protection
Non-supportive bras, can cause rubbing and abrading of skin and nipples due to construction
Types available
Compressive (bind breasts to chest wall - recommended for medium size breast)
Support (heavy duty with additional upward support for larger breasts)
Lightweight elastic (compression and support not as critical for smaller breasts)
Thorax and Rib Protection
Thorax protectors and rib belts
Protect against external forces
Air-inflated interconnected cylinders (jacket design)

25. Hips and Buttocks Required in collision and high-velocity sports
Boxing, snow skiers, equestrians, jockeys and water skiers
Girdle and belt types

26. Groin and Genitalia Sports involving high velocity projectiles
Require cup protection for male participants
Stock item that fits into jockstrap or athletic supporter
Female protection is also available