Selection fitting and maintenance of protective equipment are critical in injury prevention Athletic trainers and coaches must have knowledge of protective equipment available for different sports and proper fitting procedures ID: 909504
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Slide1
Protective Equipment
Slide2Slide3Sports Equipment
Selection, fitting and maintenance of protective equipment are critical in injury prevention
Athletic trainers and coaches must have knowledge of protective equipment available for different sports and proper fitting procedures
Protection is critical in contact and collision sports
Slide4Safety Standards for Equipment & Facilities
Concerns relative to materials, durability, establishment of standards, manufacturing, testing methods, and requirements for its use
Must be in place relative to maintenance
Concern should be protective ability; not appearance of equipment
A number of groups and agencies are involved in standardizing sports equipment and facilities
Slide5Equipment Reconditioning & Recertification
NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment)
Has established test standards in order to reduce head injuries
Set minimum safety requirements for helmets and masks for football, baseball/softball and lacrosse
Accepted standards for various regulatory bodies in sports
Type of helmet, amount of use/intensity will determine condition of help over a period of time
Slide6Equipment Reconditioning & Recertification
NOCSAE label does not warranty helmets
Indicates helmet met requirements when manufactured or reconditioned
NOCSAE recommends reconditioning and recertification of equipment
Consumer should use discretion based on use
Slide7Legal 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 defect or inadequacy for intended use manufacturer is liable.
If equipment is modified – modifier becomes liable
Slide8Off 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
Slide9Off the Shelf vs. Custom Protective Equipment
Customized equipment
Specifically sized and designed for protective & supportive needs
Slide10Head Protection
Direct Collision sports require head protection due to impacts, forces, velocities and implements
Football Helmets
NOCSAE developed 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
Slide11Warning label
Warning: Do not strike an opponent with any part 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.
Slide12Revolution IQ hits
Revolution
Revolution IQ Quick Release
Slide13Head Protection
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.
Slide14Helmet Fitting
When fitting, head/hair should be wet to simulate sweat.
Follow manufacturer’s directions.
Must routinely check fit.
Snug fit.
With change in altitude, bladder helmets must be rechecked.
Chin straps.
Jaw pads are essential (prevent lateral rocking).
Certification is of no avail if helmet is not fitted and maintained.
Slide15Ice Hockey Helmets
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 (CSA).
Slide16Baseball/Softball 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).
Slide17Cycling Helmets
Designed to protect the head during
one
single impact.
Many states require use of cycling helmets, especially in adolescents.
Slide18Face Protection
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.
Slide19Face Masks
Slide20Face Protection
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.
Slide21Throat 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
Slide22Mouth 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.
Do not cut down mouth guard as it voids warranty for dental protection and could become dislodged and disrupt breathing.
Slide23Mouth guards
Three types
Stock
Commercial (formed following submersion in water)
Custom (fabricated from dental mold)
Mandated use in high school and collegiate levels.
Slide24Ear Guards
Ear Guards
Most sports do not use.
Wrestling, water polo and boxing utilize to prevent ear irritation and ultimate deformity of ears.
Slide25Eye Protection Devices
Highest 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.
May have polarizing/tinting ability.
Slide26Eye Protection Devices
Contact Lenses
Become part of the eye and move with it.
Peripheral vision, astigmatisms and corneal waviness is limited.
Will not fog and can be tinted.
Disadvantages include cost, corneal irritation, possibility of coming dislodged.
Slide27Eye Protection Devices
Eye and Glasses Guards
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.
Slide28Neck Protection
Neck Protection
Serve primarily as a reminder to athlete to be cautious rather than providing definitive restrictions.
Slide29Trunk 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
Slide30Trunk and Thorax Protection
Football Shoulder Pads
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.
Straps underneath arms should hold pads firmly in-place, w/out soft tissue restriction.
Slide31Trunk and Thorax Protection
Sports Bras
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.
Rib Protection
Thorax protectors and rib belts.
Protect against external forces.
Slide32Protective Equipment
Hips and Buttocks
Required in collision and high-velocity sports.
Boxing, snow skiers, equestrians, jockeys and water skiers.
Girdle and belt types.
Groin and Genitalia
Sports involving high velocity projectiles.
Require cup protection for male participants
Slide33Lower Extremity Protective Equipment
Socks
Poorly fit socks can cause abnormal stress on the foot.
Should be clean, dry and w/out holes.
Shoe selection
Number of options for multiple activities.
Slide34Shoe Selection
Guidelines for selection
Toe Box: space for toes (½ to ¾ inch of space from toes to front of shoe)
Sole: provide shock absorption and durable
Spongy layer to absorb force.
Midsole that cushions midfoot and toes.
Hard rubber which contacts the ground.
Slide35Shoe Fitting
Last: form on which shoe is built
Straight = flat arch or run on inside of foot (
pronator
)
Semi-curved = foot to fit normal arch
Curved = more forefoot stability, high arch (
supinator
)
Heel Counter
: prevents medial and lateral roll of foot.
Shoe Uppers
: top of shoe made with combination of materials, designed for appropriate ventilation, drying and support.
Arch Support: durable but soft and supportive to foot.
Price: due to impact on performance and injury prevention, may be worth the extra investment.
Slide36Shoe Fitting
Shoe fitting
Measure both feet, as there will be slight differences.
Fit at the end of day due to gradual increase in volume due to weight bearing.
Should be snug but allow ample movement of foot and toes.
Should break at widest part, coinciding with ball of foot.
Must also consider width of shank, non-yielding nature of sole and function of arch support.
Cleated
and specialty shoes may present problems with fitting.
Playing surfaces and activities must be considered.
Slide37Lower Extremity Protective Equipment
Heel Cups
Used for a variety of conditions including plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis & heel bursitis.
Used to help compress fat pad, providing more cushion during weight bearing.
Foot Orthotics
Device for correcting biomechanical problems that exist in foot that can cause injury.
Plastic, thermoplastic, rubber, sorbethane, leather support or ready-made products.
Can also be customized by physician, podiatrist, athletic trainer or physical therapist.
Slide38Lower Extremity Protective Equipment
Ankle Supports
Can be used alone or with tape.
Compared to tape, the device will not loosen significantly with use.
Shin and Lower Leg
Commercially marketed, hard molded shin guards are used in field hockey and soccer.
Slide39Lower Extremity Protective Equipment
Thigh and Upper Leg
Necessary in collision sports.
Pads slip into ready made uniform pockets.
Customized pads may need to be held in place with tape and/or wraps.
Neoprene sleeves can also be used for support of injuries.
Knee Braces
Used prophylactically to prevent injuries to MCL.
AOSSM has expressed concern about their efficacy in reducing injuries.
Slide40Lower Extremity Protective Equipment
Types of Braces
Rehabilitative
Widely used following surgery.
Allows controlled progressive immobilization.
Adjustable.
Functional
Used during & following rehab to provide functional support.
Ready-made and customized.
Slide41Lower Extremity Protective Equipment
Neoprene (w/ medial and lateral support)
Used by those that have sustained collateral ligament injuries.
Some are also used to provide support in those that have patellofemoral conditions.
Slide42Elbow, Wrist and Hand Protection
While the elbow is less commonly injured, it is susceptible to instability, contusions, and muscle strain.
A variety of products are available to protect the elbow.
Wrist, hand and finger injuries are often trivialized but can be functionally disabling.
Susceptible to fracture, dislocation, ligament sprains & muscle strains.
Gloves and splints are available for protection and immobilization.