Protective Equipment

Question 1

Safety Standards for Equipment and Facilities

Answer 1

• materials, durability, establishment of standards, manufacturing, etc.
• concern should be protective ability not appearance of equipment

Question 2

Legal Concerns

Answer 2

• increasing amount of litigation
• if equipment results in injury due to defect or inadequacy for intended use manufacturer is liable
• if equipment is modified-modifier becomes liable
• **do NOT modify equipment

Question 3

Equipment Reconditioning and Recertification

Answer 3

• National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment established voluntary testing standards in an effort to reduce head injuries

Question 4

NOCSAE helmet standard

Answer 4

• not a warranty
• indicates helmet met standards of performance testing
• regular recertification and reconditioning of helmets
• allows equipment to meet standards for multiple seasons

Question 5

Off the Shelf vs. Custom Protective Equipment

Answer 5

• off the shelf = pre-made and packaged, can be used immediately (neoprene sleeves)
• customized = constructed according to the individual, sized for protective and supportive needs

Question 6

Head Protection

Answer 6

• collision sports require head protection due to impacts, forces, velocities, and implements

Question 7

Football Helmets

Answer 7

• NOCSAE standards for football helmet certification
• must be protective against concussive force
• while helmets must be certified, they are not always fail-safe
• every helmet must have visible exterior warning label
• athlete must be aware of risks and what label indicates

Question 8

Inside the Helmet

Answer 8

• air or fluid-filled pockets to absorb force
• Riddell Revolution = extends further past the jaw
• Xenith helmet = has thermoplastic airflow shock absorbers in a flexible cap

Question 9

Helmet Fitting

Answer 9

• follow manufacturer’s directions
• snug fit
• chin straps

Question 10

Ice Hockey Helmets

Answer 10

• extensive testing in an effort to upgrade and standardize
• must withstand high velocity impacts (stick and puck) and high mass, low velocity impacts
• must be approved by canadian standards association or the hockey equipment certification council

Question 11

Baseball Batting Helmets

Answer 11

• must withstand high velocity impacts
• research indicate helmet does little to dissipate energy of ball
• must carry NOCSAE label

Question 12

Cycling Helmets

Answer 12

• designed to protect head during one single impact

- many states require the use of cycling helmets, especially in adolescents

Question 13

Lacrosse Helmets

Answer 13

• required for male lacrosse players
• women’s lacrosse requires only protective eye guard
• hard plastic with wire mesh face guard
• additional throat protector for the goalies

Question 14

Soccer Headgear

Answer 14

• designed to reduce incidence of concussions from heading ball
• head band with foam padding
• no research supports it reducing concussions

Question 15

Face Protection

Answer 15

• face guards reduces facial injuries
• variety of options depending on sport and position
• must be secured to face mask
• can’t invalidate the manufacturers warranty

Question 16

High School Hockey

Answer 16

• face masks required

- opening cannot allow for passage of sticks or pucks

Question 17

Throat Protection

Answer 17

• laryngotracheal injuries, while uncommon, can be fatal
• baseball catchers, lacrosse goalies and ice hockey goalies are the most at risk
• should be mandatory in these sports

Question 18

Mouth Guards

Answer 18

• should extend back to the last molar

- mandated use in high school and collegiate levels

Question 19

Ear guards

Answer 19

• wrestling, boxing, and water polo

Question 20

Eye protection

Answer 20

• highest percentage of eye injuries are sports related
• generally blunt force trauma
• necessary in sports with fast moving objects
• closed eye guards protect orbital cavity

Question 21

Shoulder Pad Types

Answer 21

• cantilevered = bulkier and used by those engaged in blocking and tackling
• non-cantilevered = do not restrict motion (QB and receivers)

Question 22

Heel Cups

Answer 22

Plantar Fascitis, heel spurs, achilles, tendonitis, hell contusion
- always use two

Question 23

Types of Braces

Answer 23

• rehabilitative = used following surgery, allows for controlled, progressive ROM
• Functional = used during and post rehab to provide functional support

Question 24

Construction of Protective and Supportive Devices

Answer 24

• ATCs should be able to design and construct protective devices
• knowledge of materials available and construction designs

Question 25

Non-Yielding Materials

Answer 25

• thermomoldable plastics
• used in orthotics, braces, splints and for protecting body parts
• casting, support, protect contusions