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Demystifying preventive equipment in the competitive athlete
Thomas H Trojian1, Nasser Mohamed
1University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT 06105, USA. ttrojian@stfranciscare.org
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|November 14, 2012
Summary
Sports protective equipment like ankle braces and mouthguards are supported by evidence. Knee braces, eye protection, and helmets offer some benefits, but evidence for concussion prevention is uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Injury Prevention
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Rising sports participation correlates with increased sports-related injuries, particularly in young athletes.
- Sports injuries account for a significant percentage of emergency department visits and primary care injury-related visits.
- Evaluating the efficacy of protective equipment is crucial for athlete safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence supporting the use of five types of sports protective equipment: ankle support, knee support, mouthguards, eyeguards, and helmets.
- To assess the level of current scientific evidence for the protective benefits of each equipment type.
- To inform recommendations for sports protective equipment usage.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on sports protective equipment.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on sports-related injuries.
- Evaluation of evidence levels for injury prevention claims associated with specific equipment.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence supports the use of ankle braces and mouthguards for athletes.
- Knee braces and eye protection show indicated benefits for specific athletic populations.
- Helmets are supported for preventing head injuries, but evidence for concussion prevention remains inconclusive.
- Current evidence does not support the use of soccer headgear, necessitating further research.
Conclusions:
- Ankle braces and mouthguards are recommended for injury prevention in sports.
- The use of knee braces and eye protection should be considered based on sport-specific risks.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed to clarify the role of helmets in concussion prevention and the efficacy of soccer headgear.
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