Why protective equipment is so important in all types of sports
Written by Teresa on March 8, 2017
Working regularly with student-athletes at LSU has made me more aware than the average individual about the importance of the various types of gear used in all kinds of sports. One of the most important pieces of equipment for sports is protective gear. The investment made on such gear is not something that goes to waste.
In fact, it is something that pays for itself. Regardless of the sport or the type of equipment, there should be significant consideration put into the appropriateness of the gear as well as its good condition.
For example, it is pointless to have a helmet on if it is generations old and can crack instantly on impact. If we are to cultivate a culture of safety in sports, we ought to invest in a variety of protective equipment that includes the following:
Eyewear
Although often overlooked, protective eyewear for sports ensures that the eyes are shielded from injury. Polycarbonate continues to be popular in protective eyewear as it delivers superb impact protection to your peepers. Baseball and ice hockey require that athletes use eye protection.
It is critical to use certified eyewear because non-certified products put the eyes at risk due to not being shatterproof. Corneal injury can be caused by broken shards of inferior eye protective gear. Prescription lenses are suitable for eyeglass wearers.
Helmets
Due to their bulk and often uncomfortable construction, helmets tend to be ignored despite the fact that they are a basic protective gear in sports. Baseball, hockey, cycling, skiing and inline skating are just some of the sports activities where helmets should be part of the whole getup for the athlete.
It is important to ensure that the helmet you wear is appropriate for the sport you are engaged in. Furthermore, the headgear should also meet the particular safety standard prescribed for the sport, or at least, certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The helmet should provide a snug fit around the head. A helmet that doesn’t fit can mean a greater risk of head injury in extreme cases.
Footwear
Due to the variety of surfaces that different sports are played on, there is also a wide range of footwear available for each activity. Every sport also has varying demands and rules of play.
For instance, while some sports like rugby require better surface grip from the shoes via studs, some sports like boxing require shoes that provide a good grip on the mat without hampering lightning-fast footwork.
Cross trainers may be practical, but they do not guarantee cross wearability in the long run.
Mouthpieces
If you are into contact sports, mouthpieces are a necessity. A mouthpiece shields your teeth and gums from getting injured during contact with an opponent’s hands, elbows and other body parts that can be thrust into the mouth during a scrimmage.
There was a time when only footballers, wrestlers, hockey players, and boxers wore mouthpieces, but nowadays, even basketball players have them on because the action on the court can get intense and beyond the control even with the threat of getting infringement for deliberate or non-deliberate actions during the game.
It is vital that the mouthpiece is of high-quality molded construction to ensure a good fit.
Protective equipment is designed for every sport and should be worn accordingly. This provides better performance because the athlete can confidently engage in the particular sport.