What Safety Devices Are Used in Sports to Prevent Injuries?

Every year, millions of athletes-kids, amateurs, and pros-get hurt while playing sports. But a lot of those injuries don’t have to happen. The right safety devices can mean the difference between a minor bump and a season-ending injury. From helmets in football to mouthguards in hockey, protective gear isn’t just about comfort-it’s about survival. And it’s not just about what you wear; it’s about how well it fits, how often it’s replaced, and whether it’s actually designed for the sport you’re playing.

Helmets: More Than Just a Shell

Helmets are the most visible safety device in many sports. But not all helmets are created equal. A football helmet isn’t just a hard shell-it’s got a multi-layered impact-absorbing system, a faceguard, and padding that’s calibrated for high-speed collisions. The NFL requires helmets to pass strict impact tests every year, and models like the Riddell SpeedFlex and VICIS Zero2 are built with materials that reduce rotational forces, which are linked to concussions.

In hockey, helmets have been mandatory since the 1970s, but full-face shields weren’t required until recently. Now, almost every player in the NHL wears one. Youth leagues in Australia and the U.S. follow the same rule: no helmet, no play. And it’s not just for contact sports. Cyclists, skateboarders, and even horseback riders rely on helmets designed to specific standards-like ASTM F1447 for bikes or EN 1078 for skateboarding.

Mouthguards: The Silent Protector

Most people think mouthguards are just for keeping teeth from flying out during a tackle. But they do more than that. Studies from the Journal of the American Dental Association show that mouthguards reduce the risk of concussions by up to 60% in contact sports. That’s because they absorb shock and stabilize the jaw, which helps prevent the brain from slamming against the skull.

There are three types: stock (ready-made, cheap, and useless), boil-and-bite (better fit, but still loose), and custom-fitted (made by a dentist). Custom guards cost more-around $150-$300-but they’re the only ones that actually stay in place during a hit. In rugby, where head impacts are frequent, custom mouthguards are standard for elite players. Even in non-contact sports like basketball, where accidental elbows to the face are common, many players wear them.

Padding: Where the Body Needs Extra Layers

Shoulder pads in American football aren’t just for show. They’re engineered with foam and hard plastic to spread out the force of a hit across a wider area. Same with shin guards in soccer-thin plastic shells protect the tibia from kicks that could otherwise break bones. In lacrosse, players wear chest protectors that meet NOCSAE standards, meaning they’ve been tested to withstand impacts from a ball traveling over 90 mph.

Even sports that seem low-risk need padding. Volleyball players wear knee pads to protect against hard falls on concrete courts. Gymnasts use wrist guards to prevent sprains from landing awkwardly. And in martial arts, sparring gear includes padded gloves, headgear, and torso protectors. The key? It has to be worn correctly. A loose shoulder pad or a shin guard that slips down is worse than no protection at all.

Eye Protection: You Can’t See If You’re Blind

Eye injuries in sports are more common than most people realize. Every year in the U.S. alone, over 40,000 sports-related eye injuries happen-many of them preventable. In racquet sports like squash and badminton, the ball can travel faster than 100 mph. A single impact can rupture the eyeball or cause retinal detachment.

Polycarbonate lenses are the gold standard. They’re 10 times more impact-resistant than regular plastic. In tennis, players like Naomi Osaka wear protective goggles. In basketball, where fingers and elbows fly, clear polycarbonate shields are now common among pros. Youth leagues in Australia require eye protection for netball and lacrosse players under 18. And if you wear prescription glasses? Get sports-specific frames with wraparound polycarbonate lenses. Regular glasses won’t cut it.

Footwear: The Foundation of Safety

Shoes might not look like safety gear, but they’re one of the most important. A bad pair of running shoes can lead to stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, or knee pain. Basketball shoes need ankle support to prevent rolls. Cleats for soccer or football must have the right stud pattern for the surface-metal studs on artificial turf? That’s a recipe for a twisted ankle.

Surprisingly, even indoor sports need proper footwear. Volleyball players wear lightweight shoes with thick soles to absorb jumps. Dance and gymnastics require non-slip soles to prevent slips on smooth floors. And don’t forget: worn-out shoes lose their shock absorption. Replace them every 300-500 miles for runners, or every 6-12 months for regular players.

Other Critical Gear: Don’t Overlook the Basics

Some safety devices are easy to forget. In water sports, life jackets aren’t optional-they’re legally required for kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating in most places. Even strong swimmers can get caught in currents or suffer cramps. In skiing and snowboarding, helmets and wrist guards are standard. Wrist guards prevent fractures from falling on outstretched hands-a common injury.

For baseball and softball, catchers wear masks, chest protectors, shin guards, and throat guards. Batters wear helmets with ear flaps. In cricket, batsmen wear helmets with face guards, and close-in fielders wear helmets too. And let’s not forget groin protectors-required in baseball, hockey, and soccer for male players. They’re uncomfortable, but a single impact without one can mean months off.

When Safety Gear Fails

Safety gear isn’t foolproof. It can be damaged, outdated, or poorly fitted. A helmet that’s been dropped multiple times might look fine but has micro-cracks inside. Mouthguards that are cracked or warped won’t protect. Pads that are too big or too small shift during play, leaving gaps.

Always check your gear before every game. Look for cracks, frayed straps, worn padding, or loose fasteners. Replace helmets after any major impact-even if there’s no visible damage. Most manufacturers recommend replacing them every 5 years, but if you’ve had a hard hit, do it sooner. And never borrow gear unless you’re sure it fits perfectly. A helmet that’s too big won’t stay on. A mouthguard that’s too loose won’t stay in.

It’s Not Just About the Gear-It’s About the Culture

The best safety gear in the world won’t help if no one takes it seriously. In youth sports, parents and coaches often downplay injuries. “Just shake it off” is a dangerous phrase. Coaches who don’t enforce helmet use or ignore signs of concussion are putting kids at risk.

Organizations like the Australian Sports Commission and the CDC now push for “safety-first” cultures. That means mandatory gear checks before practice, education on concussion symptoms, and penalties for ignoring safety rules. When teams make safety part of their identity-like the NFL’s concussion protocol or USA Hockey’s mandatory face shields-players start to see gear as normal, not optional.

And here’s the truth: safety gear isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of intelligence. The best athletes don’t play without protection-they play smarter with it.