• protective equipment should be worn at all times (training and games)
• it should fit correctly
• it is important to regularly check and maintain protective equipment
• use new equipment prior to competition to break it in
• equipment should be specific and appropriate for the sport and the size of the athlete
• equipment should always be used according to manufacturer’s guidelines and the recommendations of the sporting body concerned
• remember injuries usually mean time on the sideline, PREVENTION IS THE KEY

WRIST, ELBOW & KNEE GUARDS

• protective wrist guards can be useful to protect from impact when falling onto an outstretched hand
• padded knee protectors absorb impact forces from falls onto concrete, skating surfaces or colliding with racing poles
• elbows are at risk when falling and padding will reduce grazing and protect the joint from impact

SHIN PADS

• shin injuries are common in sports where there is a fast moving object or kicking sports eg hockey, softball, cricket, lacrosse, soccer
• you should ensure that the shin pads are appropriate for the sport ie. different shin pads for hockey and soccer

SHOULDER PADDING & BODY PROTECTORS

• in tackling sports such as Rugby League and Union, shoulder protectors are recommended to protect the top of the shoulder joint from an impact injury
• padded body protectors can help to protect the trunk, particularly the chest area, from impact injury in sports such as fencing or softball and baseball (catcher and referee)
• “boxes” for boys in sports such as cricket and hockey are essential to protect the genitals

GLOVES

• protective gloves can help to prevent injuries of the fingers, thumbs and hand in sports such as cricket, baseball, softball and hockey
• gloves can also protect the hands from blisters which require gripping eg equestrian sports, golf and abseiling

MOUTHGUARDS

• if participants are involved in sports where they are at risk of a blow to the head or face from either opponents or equipment they should wear a properly fitted mouthguard
• a mouthguard correctly fitted by a dentist can protect teeth, prevent biting of the lips and act as a cushioning layer between the teeth

MOUTHGUARDS SHOULD

• fit the mouth accurately
• stay in place comfortably
• allow normal breathing and speech
• be made of appropriate material which is non-toxic with measured thickness and coverage
• be custom designed and fitted by a qualified professional

HELMETS

• in sports where high speed collisions are a possibility (eg motor cycle injury, cycling) hard-shell helmets are of proven value
• in sports that have the potential for missile injuries (eg baseball, lacrosse, cricket) or for falls onto hard surfaces (eg gridiron, ice-hockey, skating) specific helmets may reduce the chance of head injuries
• helmets worn should be approved by the sporting association concerned

EYE PROTECTION

• sports with a high risk of eye injury (when protective devises are not being worn) involve a high speed ball (or puck), the use of a bat or stick, close aggressive play with body contact and collision, or a combination of both eg. racquet sports (racquetball, squash, tennis, badminton), lacrosse
• any athlete with normally reduced vision in one eye should always use protective eyewear for any sports
• eye protection glasses are available from your local squash courts and selected sports stores consult your optometrist for advice on vision requirements and protective equipment specific for your sport

ANKLE TAPING AND BRACES

• ankle taping and braces can protect the ankle from injury when an athlete lands awkwardly
• they can be used to protect a previously injured ankle when a player returns to sport
• ankle braces & tape can be purchased from your local pharmacy or sports store
• for advice about what type of braces to buy and how to tape effectively contact your local sports physiotherapist, sports doctor or sports trainer

FOOTWEAR

• shoes should be considered an important part of protective equipment
• athletes should be aware that appropriate shoes for sport can help prevent injuries
• shoes should be properly fitted for the individual and be appropriate for the sport or activity and playing surface

REMEMBER

• many injuries are preventable
• the use of correctly fitting and sport specific protective equipment may reduce the chances of missing sport due to an injury
• protective equipment should be worn at all times during sport and not only during matches
• for sport specific information please visit our websites