How do Wrist Guards Protect You?

When participating in extreme sports like skateboarding, wrist protectors are an absolute must. By providing support and cushioning during falls and collisions, wrist guards assist lower the risk of major injury to the wrists, hands, and arms.

There are several kinds of wrist guards on the market, and before you buy one, you should familiarize yourself with how it provides protection. Keep on reading to find out why these protectors are so important.

What are Wrist Guards?

As the name implies, wrist guards are a kind of padding and support for the wrists in the case of a fall or accident.

Protection for the wrists and arms is prioritized by designing them with a combination of flexible plastic and cushioning.

Different-sized wrist guards are also available to make sure they fit just right. Fingerless gloves, which offer additional protection, and mesh fabric for breathability are some of the features included with certain wrist guards.

How Do Wrist Guards Work?

Wrist guards are a common safety item for rollerblading and skateboarding. Covering the wrist, they absorb shock and keep you steady when landing large airs and tricks.

Typically, a wrist guard will have a hard plastic outside and a cushioned inner. Cushioning provides comfort and support, while the rigid plastic shell works as a protection to absorb blows. Most guards include Velcro for a snug fit.

Wrist guards, when worn properly, should offer a tight fit around the wrist while yet allowing for a full range of motion. The protection offered by the guard must be sufficient to enable complete mobility without restricting the user's actions. The wrist guard should provide the adequate support to land safely and securely after making a leap for a ledge or rail, for instance.

Accidental wrist injuries, such as sprains, fractures, and dislocations, are prevalent among skateboarders and snowboarders. One other benefit of wearing one is that it may add an extra measure of safety when trying out new stunts or pushing one's limits, ensuring that any accidents are handled properly.

What Options Do You Have?

Different wrist guards will provide you with varying degrees of safety and efficiency. Wrist protectors are a simple way to support your wrist, cushion your wrist, and prevent injury without restricting your range of motion. More extensive protection may be designed with splint-style wrist guards, which have hard plastic splints and adjustable velcro straps. Finally, there are specialist wrist guards that will give you higher protection without limiting movement, making them ideal for contact sports like hockey or football.

There are a wide variety of wrist guards to choose from for various activities.
The wrist brace is a specific kind of wrist protector. When compared to the standard wraparound wrist guard, they tend to be more cushioned and offer greater protection. Pain from carpal tunnel syndrome or other repeated usage injuries can be alleviated with the use of a wrist brace, which will give generalized support for the joint.

Wrist splints are another option for wrist protection. As they offer even more immobility than a wrist brace, they are often prescribed for illnesses like arthritis. Made from flexible foam, they improve fit without restricting movement.

The wrist sleeve is a third form of wrist protection. Compression is provided to the hand and forearm area using these, which are made to fit tightly over the user's hand and forearm. The sleeve is often constructed from a breathable fabric that aids in keeping the skin dry and irritant-free. Carpal tunnel syndrome and similar repetitive motion injuries may find relief from the sleeve's compression.

Finally, there are wrist guards filled with a gel that can be molded to the user's exact specifications. The gel cushioning molds to the shape of the user's body, making it more comfortable and supportive. Gel-filled guards are popular for sports requiring wrist protection, such as golf, tennis, and jogging since they improve grip and absorb shock more effectively than other options.

Should I Protect My Wrists?

Wrist guards are highly suggested for those who engage in skateboarding or any other form of extreme sport. Wrist guards allow you to participate in these activities while receiving the necessary padding and support. Knowing that your wrists are well-protected in the event that you fall or make contact with the ground might boost your confidence when doing feats or tricks.

• For the prevention of wrist injuries, protective wrist guards are mandatory equipment. Rather than transmitting the power of a fall or collision, they are built to absorb it, reducing the likelihood of more serious damage and lessening its intensity.
• Your wrists are easily damaged because they are weak and have few supporting bones or muscles. Fractures, sprains, strains, and dislocations of the wrist are all common outcomes of accidents involving impact or fall.
• A wrist guard can help protect your wrists from injury by acting as a cushion in the event of a fall or other trauma. Therefore, the likelihood of a major fracture or dislocation of the wrist following an accident is greatly reduced.
• Wrist guards offer considerable protection from repetitive stress injuries and should be worn whenever the activity poses any risk. Injuries of this sort occur when one performs the same motion repeatedly with no breaks in between. In addition to being quite uncomfortable, some injuries of this kind may prevent you from engaging in particular pursuits. When participating in sports like skating, rollerblading, and snowboarding, it's important to keep your joints stable, and wrist guards provide just that.
• There's no reason not to wear them, as their low weight and comfort ensure that they go unnoticed. Wearing wrist guards is a good idea if you're doing anything that might result in a fall.

Fit & Grip

Having a wrist guard that fits well and can be gripped securely is crucial for the wearer's safety and comfort. The guard should fit enough to stay in place without being excessively tight or restricting. A good way to ensure the wrist guard fits properly is to put it on and then do several full-range wrist motions with your hand. You should be able to freely move your wrist while the guard remains in place.

The ability to maintain its position on the wearer's wrist is a key function of a wrist guard's grip. A solid grip is essential, and since different materials give varying degrees of grip, it's necessary to pick one that allows for some degree of mobility while yet providing a secure hold. For optimal grip, the strap should be tightened.

Finally, you should inspect the guard for any signs of wear and tear that could have developed through time or from regular use. Regular inspections for damage or wear on wrist guards are required. This will guarantee that you have snug and protective protection that will keep you safe when skating or snowboarding.

Materials Used

The efficiency of the wrist guard in protecting and stabilizing the wrist and preventing it from moving too much in either direction is directly related to the materials used to make the guard. Choosing the ideal materials for a wrist guard involves thinking about factors like the weight, cost, breathability, comfort, durability, and flexibility of the material.

The wrist guard's weight should be your first priority when selecting a material. In most cases, lighter materials are favored since they are more pleasant to wear and offer the wearer more mobility in their chosen activity. It's important to strike a balance between convenience and safety, yet lighter materials may be less protective than heavy ones.

Since wrist guards tend to be pricey, affordability is usually a major consideration. If you're on a tight budget, cheaper fabrics like neoprene and spandex are suitable options. Spandex is a strong elastic fabric that offers support and comfort, while neoprene is a lightweight synthetic rubber that provides cushioning and flexibility.

Materials that don't allow excess heat and moisture to escape during use might lead to skin irritation and discomfort. Mesh or synthetic fabrics that allow air to circulate through them are great options for wristwear since they will help keep you cool even while you're working up a sweat. Materials like leather offer great mobility but tend to be stiffer and less comfortable than spandex or neoprene, therefore comfort should also be taken into mind when selecting materials for a wrist guard.

Last but not least, a wrist guard's material selection must prioritize durability. Even the priciest material risks becoming useless after a short period of time due to wear and tear. One of the most long-lasting materials, leather, offers robust protection without compromising mobility. In addition, certain modern synthetic textiles are developed to be as lightweight and compact as possible without sacrificing strength.

In conclusion, there are a wide variety of materials from which to choose when making wrist guards, each with its own pros and disadvantages in terms of weight, cost, ventilation, comfort, durability, and flexibility. The above factors should be taken into account when shopping for a wrist guard to guarantee that it is well-made and pleasant to wear while yet providing enough protection and stability.

Other Protective Gear

While snowboarding or skiing, it is crucial to wear protective gear to avoid injury whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider. Head injuries, including concussions, are easily avoided if helmets are worn. Putting on a helmet can greatly lessen the likelihood of suffering a severe head injury. The helmet has a liner and padding for comfort and protection and is often constructed of plastic or fiberglass. It ought to be a secure fit on your head without any wiggle room, and it should feature a chin strap for added safety.

Also, check that your helmet complies with the sport's safety guidelines to ensure that it will give you the protection you need. You should never go snowboarding without a helmet since it might save your life in the event of an accident.

You should also wear goggles to protect your eyes from the wind and snow. Clothing such as snow trousers and a waterproof coat, as well as thermal undergarments and fleece, are essential. Extra protection for your joints is provided by elbow protectors, wrist guards, and knee pads. As an added precaution, select gloves or mittens appropriate for the weather. Last but not least, ski or snowboard boots that fit well and work well will ensure your safety and comfort on the slopes.

Conclusion

When you wear a wrist guard, you may rest assured that you won't suffer any major damage in the event of a fall or impact. They shield your hands from harm and help you retain your wrists in a natural position as you work. Before indulging in any extreme sport activity, it is crucial to select the appropriate wrist guards for your needs in terms of protection and performance.

People Also Ask

Do wrist guards prevent wrist injuries?

Yes, wrist guards are designed to prevent wrist injuries while participating in activities such as skateboarding, snowboarding, and inline skating. They are made of hard plastic and typically wrap securely around the user’s wrist. The guard provides cushioning around the wrist bones and ligaments to absorb the impact of a fall, thus reducing the likelihood of an injury.

What are the benefits of a wrist brace?

Wrist braces can be beneficial for those who experience chronic pain or instability in their wrists due to repetitive stress injuries, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or fractures. Additionally, wearing one can help protect your wrists from future injuries by providing additional support.

Should I wear wrist guards skateboarding and snowboarding?

Yes, absolutely! Skateboarding and snowboarding are extreme sports that require you to take risks. Wearing wrist guards can help protect you from serious injuries that can be caused by falls. Even if you’re an experienced boarder, it’s still important to wear protective gear – your wrists are particularly vulnerable to injury due to the force of gravity on them during a fall.

How tight should wrist guards be?

Wrist guards should be tight enough to remain securely in place without cutting off circulation in your hands or causing undue discomfort. To ensure optimal fit and protection, your guards should extend up past your wrist joint and wrap snugly around your lower forearm as well. When putting them on, make sure you adjust the Velcro straps so they’re not too loose or too tight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the winter outdoors space, focussing on skiing and snowboarding. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.