Head Protection
What are the risks associated with passing down equipment?
Athletes receiving the equipment are already less coordinated. Now the equipment is worn out and less effective. Risk of injury is compounded.
What is the purpose of ear guards?
To prevent cauliflower ear in boxers and wrestlers.
Explain why altering protective equipment voids its certification and the implications for athletes.
The equipment was certified in its whole form for a specific purpose. Changing the equipment changes its efficacy. This could leave athletes liable in the event of injury.
What is the role of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)?
To certify new and reconditioned equipment as safe based on minimum standards
What is the purpose of functional knee braces?
to use during or after rehabilitative period
Why is it important to check the fit of equipment when traveling to different altitudes?
Air pressure changes and pads are pockets of air so they may over or under-inflate during travel.
Why should mouth guards not be cut? When should they be replaced?
Could become dislodged and obstruct airway.
When worn down; potentially during a single season.
Name two sports that use hip, buttocks, and coccyx pads.
hockey, football, equestrian, snow skiers, boxers, etc.
What is the recommended distance between the longest toe and the front of a shoe for proper fitting?
1/2-3/4"
What is the purpose of rehabilitative braces?
Used following surgical repair or reconstruction of the knee joint to allow controlled progressive immobilization. Hinges on the brace can be adjusted to allow increased range of motion over time.
When should you replace a cycling helmet?
After one fall.
What is the importance of using polycarbonate lenses in sports eyewear?
To prevent glasses from breaking into sharp shards and causing further injury.
What considerations are there in determining football shoulder pads?
Position. Running/catching can have fewer and more mobile pads. Blocking and hitting positions need bulkier protection.
What is the purpose of the heel counter?
To prevent ankle rolling.
What is the difference between neoprene braces and neoprene sleeves?
Brace is for medial and lateral ligaments.
Sleeve is for patellofemoral conditions.
Name the two new forms of football helmet technology.
One has a shell that flexes at specific points to absorb impact.
The other has accelerometers to measure and communicate force and direction of impact to ATC/coach.
With the use of face masks, why have nose injuries decreased but concussions increased?
Nose has been "breaking the fall" and absorbing impact for the head.
What is the risk of an individual's protective equipment to the sport?
Something that protects one person can be a weapon against another so regulations need to be put in place.
What is the purpose of orthotics?
To correct biomechanical issues
What is the difference between neoprene sleeves and patella braces?
Patella braces target the patella for stabilization whereas neoprene sleeves support patellar issues but compress everything.
What is the difference between football, hockey, and soccer "helmets"?
Football helmets are made for repetitive impact.
Hockey are made for high velocity projectiles or high mass people hitting them.
Soccer concussion bands are virtually useless.
How many bars are on face masks and how close together should they be?
There should be a minimum of two bars regardless of sport and they should be close enough to prevent projectiles or sticks (relevant to the specific sport) from entering.
What are the three types of sports bras and their purpose?
Lightweight for low intensity activities
Compressive for high intensity activities
Supportive for athletes with larger breasts to have more support and protection from injury
What are the three layers of the shoe sole, and what is each layer's function?
Thick sponge layer to absorb heel strike.
Midsole for midfoot and toes.
Hard rubber outer sole that makes contact with ground.
What does a neoprene sleeve above the knee do?
Support strained quadriceps, hamstrings, and/or groins.