SPORTS TRAINERS GUIDE When examining protective equipment, WRIST, ELBOW AND KNEE SHOULDER PADDING AND the sports trainer should: GUARDS BODY PROTECTORS • Ensure the equipment used complies with the rules of the sport In sports such as roller-skating, roller- In tackling and collision sports, shoulder • Ensure the equipment is specific blading, snow skiing, snowboarding and protectors are sometimes used to and appropriate for the sport and skateboarding, athletes have a chance protect the shoulder from impact for the size and age of the athlete of falling onto hard surfaces so hard injury. Sports where this is common • Check that it fits the athlete correctly protective guards are often used to include rugbyuo, ugby league • Regularly check and maintain protective prevent injuries ranging from minor and American football. equipment and ensure that worn abrasions and other external wounds or damaged equipment is replaced to more severe hard and soft tissue Padded body protectors help protect • Ensure the equipment used meets injuries. There are restrictions on the the trunk, particularly the chest area, relevant quality and safety standards use of some types of hard protective from impact injury in sports such as and that it is used according to the guards in many sports. fencing, softball and baseball. ‘Boxes’ manufacturer’s guidelines and the or ‘cups’ for males in sports such as recommendations of the governing Protective wrist guards are designed cricket are essential for protection of sporting body. to protect the hand and wrist from the external genitalia. injuries such as joint sprains or SHIN AND LEG GUARDS fractures resulting from a fall onto EYE PROTECTION an outstretched hand. Shin injuries are common in sports where Sports with a high risk of eye injury there is a potential to be struck either Some types of knee protectors are are those involving: by an opponent or by equipment such designed to absorb impact forces from • A high-speed ball or puck as a hockey stick or a hard ball. Properly falls onto hard surfaces. They can be • Use of a bat, stick or racket fitted, well-constructed leg or shin guards simply padded knee protectors, as used • Close aggressive play with body can prevent or minimise lower leg injuries. in sports such as volleyball, or they can contact or collision Different types of shin guards are used also incorporate hard plastic components. • A combination of any of the above. for different sports. For example, soccer Some knee protectors are also designed shin pads tend to be light and flexible to protect the knee from excessive Some of these sports include squash, as opposed to hockey guards that have twisting movements. Professional advice ice hockey, racquetball and lacrosse. a firmer and more rigid construction. as to type and fit is recommended for Face and eye protection is recommended People in other sports, such as catchers this type of knee protector. for all athletes in sports such as these. in softball or baseball, have lower leg guards that cover the feet and knees; a cricket batsman’s leg guards extend above the knee. VOLUME 36 • JUNE ISSUE 2018 45 ikswokaruB/kcotsknihT