Protective Wear during Sport - Sports Injury Prevention

Sports where protective wear is worn

Most individuals involved in contact sports wear some form of protective clothing; common examples include boxing, rugby and American football. Other sports include ice hockey, field hockey, shooting, cycling and lacrosse.

Examples of protective wear

Head gear

Contact sports usually involve wearing protective head gear, due to the high risk of head injuries and the potential damage such injuries can cause; these sports include rugby and American football, for example. Helmets are almost always worn when there is a risk of head injuries caused by high speed impact or accidents; examples of these sports include cycling, motor racing and bobsleighing. Helmets are also worn by batsmen in cricket to protect the head from the hard ball, which travels extremely fast when it has left the bowler’s hand.

Gum shields

Gum shields are worn in contact sports or activities which involve hard balls and aerial shots, where the players are at risk of suffering from dental trauma; common examples of these sports include rugby, hockey and lacrosse.

Shin pads

Shin pads are worn in many sports to support and protect the shins and ankles; wearing shin pads can help to prevent injuries such as fractures and sprains as well as reducing the likelihood of suffering from bruising and swelling. Shin pads are commonly worn in football, hockey and ice hockey.

Knee, ankle, wrist and thigh supports

Many athletes wear supports to offer additional support and protection to joints which may have been weakened by an injury. Supports help to stabilise the joint and prevent further damage.

Shoulder pads

Shoulder pads are worn in American football to protect the shoulder during contact with other players and the ground; wearing this kind of protective clothing helps to prevent injuries such as dislocations and shoulder strains.

Importance of wearing protective clothing

In some cases, protective clothing can prove to be the difference between life and death; this is particularly true in many sports where there is a high risk of head and spinal injuries.

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