An analysis and comparison of soccer shin guards.

Worldwide > 40 million amateurs participate in the team sport of soccer. With 647,368 injuries occurring from 1989 through 1992, the risk of injury during the play of soccer is evident. Lower extremity injuries have been found to comprise 13.1% of the total injuries in soccer. To date, a comprehensive evaluation of protective equipment utilized to prevent lower extremity injuries in soccer has been lacking. This study utilized a 5th percentile Hybrid III female dummy to evaluate the effectiveness of shin guards in attenuating the forces which can lead to lower extremity injuries. A pendulum impact apparatus simulated one player being kicked by another. Impacts were delivered to the anterior tibial region of the Hybrid III dummy and peak loads were recorded. Load forces were reduced 41.2-77.1% with the utilization of shin guards. Even at extreme temperatures, the guards were found to be effective in lowering the amount of impact force transferred to the shin region. The results of this study indicate that the use of shin guards will attenuate the force of impact to the tibia and thus reduce the risk of injury.