Safety Evaluation of Protective Equipment for the Forearm Shin Hand and Foot in Taekwondo

摘要

The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare different brands of forearm, shin, hand and foot protective equipment used in Taekwondo. The most popular brands of large forearm, shin, hand and foot protectors (D^®, A^®, K ^®), approved by the World Taekwondo and Korean Taekwondo Association, were examined. A drop test was used to test the protective equipment using impact levels of 3J, 9J, 12J and 15J for the forearm and shin guards, and 3J and 9J for the hand and foot protectors. The protective equipment was hit ten times from each of the designated drop heights. The drop test is described in the European standards manual of protective equipment for martial arts (SRPS EN 13277-2). The maximum force (MF) and impulse were lowest for brand K^® (2610.3 ± 1474.1 N), and brand A^® (9.6 ± 3.1 Ns), respectively, for the forearm guards; for brand A^® (2053.4 ± 1267.1 N) and brand K^® (9.8 ± 3.5 Ns), respectively, for the shin guards; for brand K^® (4486.5 ± 1718.4 N), and brand A^® (6.3 ± 1.1 Ns), respectively for the hand protectors; and for brand A^® (3733.7 ± 2465.3 N), and brand D^® (6.8 ± 0.6 Ns), respectively, for the foot protectors. For the forearm guard brand and impact level, there was a significant interaction effect for the MF (F=42.44, η²=.677, p <0.001) and impulse (F = 33.97, η² = 0.626, p <0.001). Based on the MF, brand K^® performed the best for the forearm guards and hand protectors, and brand A^®, for the shin guards and foot protectors. The best results for the impulse were for brand A^® (forearm guards and hand protectors), brand K^® (shin guards) and brand D^® (foot protectors).Key points class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc">The best results for the maximum force were for brand K^® (forearm guards and hand protectors), and brand A^® (shin guards and foot protectors).The best results for the impulse were for brand A^® (forearm guards and hand protectors), brand K^® (shin guards) and brand D^® (foot protectors).To prevent severe injuries, the protective equipment needs to be substantially improved (Even if the impact level is increasingly more than 3J, the resulting impact forces need to be reduced to <2000 N).It recommends the development of more stringent protective equipment standards criteria to ensure the safety of Taekwondo athletes.