KIN 188 – Prevention KIN 188 – Prevention and Care of and Care of

Athletic InjuriesAthletic Injuries

Protective EquipmentProtective Equipment

Principles of Protective EquipmentPrinciples of Protective Equipment

Provides protection against:Provides protection against: High-velocity, low-mass forcesHigh-velocity, low-mass forces

Hockey pucks, baseball, lacrosse stick, etc.Hockey pucks, baseball, lacrosse stick, etc. Primarily results in focal injuries (e.g. – Primarily results in focal injuries (e.g. –

contusion)contusion)

Low-velocity, high-mass forcesLow-velocity, high-mass forces Fall to ground, checked into boards, etc.Fall to ground, checked into boards, etc. Primarily results in diffuse injuries (e.g. – Primarily results in diffuse injuries (e.g. –

concussion)concussion)

Principles of Protective EquipmentPrinciples of Protective Equipment

Protection provided by:Protection provided by: Increase of impact areaIncrease of impact area Transfer/dispersion of forces to other areaTransfer/dispersion of forces to other area Limited ROM of body partLimited ROM of body part Added mass to prevent deformation/displacementAdded mass to prevent deformation/displacement Reduced friction between surfacesReduced friction between surfaces Absorption of energyAbsorption of energy Resisted absorption of bacteria, viruses, fungiResisted absorption of bacteria, viruses, fungi

Materials UsedMaterials Used

Soft materialsSoft materials Neoprene, felts, moleskin, foamsNeoprene, felts, moleskin, foams

Open-cell: allows air passage, good for comfortOpen-cell: allows air passage, good for comfort Closed-cell: minimizes air passage, good for absorbing Closed-cell: minimizes air passage, good for absorbing

shock/protectionshock/protection

Used for padding, compression, friction reduction to Used for padding, compression, friction reduction to body partbody part

Hard materialsHard materials Thermoplastics, plaster, fiberglassThermoplastics, plaster, fiberglass Used for rigid splinting or protection of body partUsed for rigid splinting or protection of body part

Material PropertiesMaterial Properties

Density Density weight relative to weight relative to

amount usedamount used StrengthStrength

load resistanceload resistance RigidityRigidity

stiffnessstiffness ConformabilityConformability

ability to form to bodyability to form to body

Self-adherenceSelf-adherence affects integrity and affects integrity and

durabilitydurability DurabilityDurability

ability to repeatedly ability to repeatedly withstand stress, withstand stress, longevitylongevity

Ease of fabricationEase of fabrication time/skill needed to time/skill needed to

work withwork with

Rules Regarding Protective Rules Regarding Protective Padding and EquipmentPadding and Equipment

Governing bodies establish rules for mandatory Governing bodies establish rules for mandatory use of specific protective equipment and use of specific protective equipment and determine rules for special protective determine rules for special protective equipmentequipment NFSHSA, NCAA, USOC, Individual professional NFSHSA, NCAA, USOC, Individual professional

sports organizations, etc.sports organizations, etc. Mandatory – FB helmets with 4-point chin straps Mandatory – FB helmets with 4-point chin straps

(NCAA), colored mouthguards in hockey/football (NCAA), colored mouthguards in hockey/football (NFSHSA, NCAA, not NFL)(NFSHSA, NCAA, not NFL)

Special – coverage of cast for UE below elbow with Special – coverage of cast for UE below elbow with minimum ½ inch high-density, closed cell paddingminimum ½ inch high-density, closed cell padding

Equipment StandardsEquipment Standards

In U.S., equipment standards issued by In U.S., equipment standards issued by National Operating Committee on National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)(NOCSAE)

Various other national and international Various other national and international organizations have standards as well for organizations have standards as well for different sports and pieces of equipmentdifferent sports and pieces of equipment

Equipment StandardsEquipment Standards

NOCSAE symbol on product indicates that product NOCSAE symbol on product indicates that product design meets their standards – most applicable to design meets their standards – most applicable to football helmetsfootball helmets

NOCSAE also sets standards for equipment re-NOCSAE also sets standards for equipment re-conditioners to use in evaluating/re-evaluating conditioners to use in evaluating/re-evaluating equipmentequipment Variability in number pieces of equipment re-conditioned – Variability in number pieces of equipment re-conditioned –

must at least inspect and send questionable items for must at least inspect and send questionable items for evaluationevaluation

If standards are met, NOCSAE re-certification sticker is If standards are met, NOCSAE re-certification sticker is applied to equipmentapplied to equipment

Football HelmetsFootball Helmets

Inner liners use either air, closed cell padding Inner liners use either air, closed cell padding or combinationor combination Air bladders require constant inspection regarding Air bladders require constant inspection regarding

inflation/fit issuesinflation/fit issues

Outer shells are plastic or polycarbonate alloysOuter shells are plastic or polycarbonate alloys Warranties vary (plastic – 2 years, polycarbonate Warranties vary (plastic – 2 years, polycarbonate

alloy – 5 years)alloy – 5 years) Manufacturers recommend retiring helmets after 6-Manufacturers recommend retiring helmets after 6-

10 years of use10 years of use

Football HelmetsFootball Helmets

In order to meet NOCSAE standards:In order to meet NOCSAE standards: Helmets are dropped from 60 inches twice Helmets are dropped from 60 inches twice

within a minute at ambient temperature and within a minute at ambient temperature and after being cooled – must pass both tests to after being cooled – must pass both tests to meet standard (considers effect of heat on meet standard (considers effect of heat on shock absorption)shock absorption)

Warning label regarding risk of injury must Warning label regarding risk of injury must be clearly visible on exterior shell of all new be clearly visible on exterior shell of all new and re-conditioned helmetsand re-conditioned helmets

Football Helmet FittingFootball Helmet Fitting

Hair should be worn as will be done for Hair should be worn as will be done for participation – wet to simulate conditionsparticipation – wet to simulate conditions

Shell size selected per head circumference – Shell size selected per head circumference – measure above earsmeasure above ears

Adjust front/back sizers and jaw pads for Adjust front/back sizers and jaw pads for comfort and fitcomfort and fit

Inflate air bladder for comfort and fitInflate air bladder for comfort and fit

Football Helmet FittingFootball Helmet Fitting

For proper fit, helmet must meet the For proper fit, helmet must meet the following criteria:following criteria: Cover base of skull without impinging on Cover base of skull without impinging on

spine with neck extensionspine with neck extension Ear holes should match up with EAC – Ear holes should match up with EAC –

hearing and protection elementshearing and protection elements Four-point chin strap should be centered Four-point chin strap should be centered

and of equal tension/length on each side of and of equal tension/length on each side of helmethelmet

Football Helmet FittingFootball Helmet Fitting

For proper fit, helmet must meet the For proper fit, helmet must meet the following criteria:following criteria: Allow complete field of vision through Allow complete field of vision through

facemask – 1-2 fingers above eyebrows and facemask – 1-2 fingers above eyebrows and 2-3 fingers from tip of nose to facemask2-3 fingers from tip of nose to facemask

Should not move when pressed forward, Should not move when pressed forward, backward or down from topbackward or down from top

Should not slip when facemask grasped and Should not slip when facemask grasped and pulled left/rightpulled left/right

Football Shoulder PadsFootball Shoulder Pads

Typically constructed of hard, plastic shell and Typically constructed of hard, plastic shell and lined with closed- or open-cell foam paddinglined with closed- or open-cell foam padding

Two primary types of shoulder padsTwo primary types of shoulder pads Flat (QB, WR, DB)Flat (QB, WR, DB)

Allow most shoulder motion but less protection than Allow most shoulder motion but less protection than cantilevered padscantilevered pads

Cantilevered (linemen, RB, LB)Cantilevered (linemen, RB, LB) Plastic bridge over tip of shoulder to distribute forces Plastic bridge over tip of shoulder to distribute forces

applied to shoulder regionapplied to shoulder region Most protection but limit some overhead motionMost protection but limit some overhead motion

Football Shoulder PadsFootball Shoulder Pads

Other components include:Other components include: ArchArch

Shaped to fit contour of upper body/torsoShaped to fit contour of upper body/torso Two sets of epaulets (shoulder flaps)Two sets of epaulets (shoulder flaps)

Additional protection for top of shoulderAdditional protection for top of shoulder Shoulder cupsShoulder cups

Provide coverage/protection of deltoid muscleProvide coverage/protection of deltoid muscle Anterior and posterior padsAnterior and posterior pads

Provides protection for sternum, clavicles and pectoral Provides protection for sternum, clavicles and pectoral muscles (anterior) and trapezius, scapula and spine muscles (anterior) and trapezius, scapula and spine (posterior)(posterior)

Football Shoulder Pad Football Shoulder Pad FittingFitting

Size determined by chest girth at nipple level Size determined by chest girth at nipple level or measurement between tips of shouldersor measurement between tips of shoulders

Type of pads determined by position playedType of pads determined by position played

Laces and straps should then be anchoredLaces and straps should then be anchored

Straps should have equal tension and fit as Straps should have equal tension and fit as tight as functionally possible (no more than two tight as functionally possible (no more than two fingers fitted under strap)fingers fitted under strap)

Football Shoulder Pad Football Shoulder Pad FittingFitting

Clavicle should be entirely covered and Clavicle should be entirely covered and protected by padsprotected by pads

Anterior laces should be centered on sternum Anterior laces should be centered on sternum with no gap presentwith no gap present

Cantilever should cover tip of AC jointCantilever should cover tip of AC joint

Shoulder caps should cover deltoid musclesShoulder caps should cover deltoid muscles

Football Shoulder Pad Football Shoulder Pad FittingFitting

Posterior pads should completely cover Posterior pads should completely cover scapulae – posterior pads extend below scapulae – posterior pads extend below inferior angle of scapulainferior angle of scapula

Individual should be able to abduct Individual should be able to abduct shoulders without neck opening shoulders without neck opening impinging upon cervical range of motion, impinging upon cervical range of motion, airway or circulationairway or circulation