ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare various soft-core baseballs for their ability to reduce the risk of fatal chest-impact injury. DESIGN: This study used a three-rib biomechanical surrogate to quantitatively analyze chest impacts from nine soft-core baseballs and one standard baseball, which served as the control. Impacts were achieved with an air cannon system, with the velocity of impact being 40, 50, and 60 mph. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The deflection of the three-rib structure at the sternum was measured and used to calculate the viscous criterion, which correlates with risk of chest-impact injury. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Analysis showed that baseballs with lighter mass had a significantly lower viscous criterion (p < 0.05). Those with a similar mass had no change in the viscous criterion, and the heaviest soft-core baseball had a significantly higher viscous criterion at an impact velocity of 60 mph. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that soft-core baseballs may not differ from a standard baseball with regard to the risk of fatal chest-impact injury while playing baseball. Other techniques, such as preventive coaching, need to be implemented when trying to improve baseball safety.
Subject(s)
Baseball/injuries , Heart Injuries/prevention & control , Sports Equipment/adverse effects , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/prevention & control , Biomechanical Phenomena , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control , Equipment Design , Heart Injuries/etiology , Humans , Risk , Safety , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/etiologyABSTRACT
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.
