Citation

Schmitt KU, Michel FI, Staudigl F. Proc. IRCOBI 2011; 39: 51-61.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Wrist injuries are frequently sustained in snowboarding. To prevent such injuries wrist guards are on the market. However, in contrast to other sports protectors, there is no performance standard available that prescribes any requirements for snowboarding wrist guards. This study investigates whether the standard used for safety gear in roller sports (EN 14120:2007) can also be applied to products for snowboarding. A representative sample of different designs for snowboarding wrist protectors was tested in a similar manner as defined in EN 14120. Damping characteristics of the products were investigated by drop tests, and bending tests were performed analysing the properties with respect to wrist extension. Generally the standard seems to be applicable to snowboarding products. However, some adjustments of the test conditions and the performance requirements seem necessary to account for the application in snow sports. Nonetheless, the introduction of a modified standard appears to be a reasonable undertaking to improve the protective potential of wrist guards.