Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7699-3198 : Claudia Town
Standing
Graduate (Masters)
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. David Andrews
Proposal
Sports protective equipment has been used for decades to reduce the risk of player injuries. As a result, the protective capabilities of such equipment have been studied extensively1. However, the literature on the comfort and fit of protective equipment and how these constructs influence performance is limited, despite evidence suggesting that improper fit can have negative effects on player safety2. Research on the relationship between sports equipment and performance can also be valuable to manufacturers from a design standpoint3. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to quantify the differences in reach distances of football players while wearing different models of shoulder pads. Player perceptions of shoulder pad comfort and fit will also be evaluated.
Players will complete a standardized reach distance protocol while wearing retroreflective markers on their hands. The protocol will include repeated shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, horizontal flexion, and horizontal extension trials for four shoulder pad conditions (three models of shoulder pads, one without). The movements will be recorded using five GoPro Hero 9 cameras and analyzed using motion analysis software. Following each condition, a survey, including questions on shoulder pad comfort, fit, breathability, weight, and restrictiveness, will be completed.
It is expected there will be differences in reach distances between the football shoulder pad conditions. Moreover, there will be differences in comfort, breathability, and restrictiveness between the shoulder pad conditions.
- Norman R. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1983; 11: 232-74.
- Oja B, Bass J. J Appl Sport Manag. 2016; 8: 26-45.
- Yu A, Yick K, Ng A, Yip J. Appl Ergon. 2019; 75: 17-26.
Availability
March 29: 12-1pm, March 30: 12-3, March 31: 12-1, April 1: not available
Quantifying the Effects of Various Football Shoulder Pads on Reach Distance and Player Perception of Comfort and Fit: A Proposal
Sports protective equipment has been used for decades to reduce the risk of player injuries. As a result, the protective capabilities of such equipment have been studied extensively1. However, the literature on the comfort and fit of protective equipment and how these constructs influence performance is limited, despite evidence suggesting that improper fit can have negative effects on player safety2. Research on the relationship between sports equipment and performance can also be valuable to manufacturers from a design standpoint3. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to quantify the differences in reach distances of football players while wearing different models of shoulder pads. Player perceptions of shoulder pad comfort and fit will also be evaluated.
Players will complete a standardized reach distance protocol while wearing retroreflective markers on their hands. The protocol will include repeated shoulder flexion, extension, abduction, horizontal flexion, and horizontal extension trials for four shoulder pad conditions (three models of shoulder pads, one without). The movements will be recorded using five GoPro Hero 9 cameras and analyzed using motion analysis software. Following each condition, a survey, including questions on shoulder pad comfort, fit, breathability, weight, and restrictiveness, will be completed.
It is expected there will be differences in reach distances between the football shoulder pad conditions. Moreover, there will be differences in comfort, breathability, and restrictiveness between the shoulder pad conditions.
- Norman R. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1983; 11: 232-74.
- Oja B, Bass J. J Appl Sport Manag. 2016; 8: 26-45.
- Yu A, Yick K, Ng A, Yip J. Appl Ergon. 2019; 75: 17-26.