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A young, healthy, athletic women in jogging attire stretching her leg and wearing a protective compression knee sleeve while outside on a run

The Best Sports Protection Gear to Prevent Injury

How to Prevent Common Injuries with Proper Sport Safety Equipment  

Contact sports and injuries go hand in hand, so anything you can do to reduce the number and severity of injuries is worthwhile. Even non-contact sports can take a toll on the body, with injuries such as tennis elbow, torn ligaments and muscles, sprains, and shin splints. Once injured, a joint can develop degenerative arthritis, making play more uncomfortable. 

Having the best sports protection gear can improve your experience and performance on and off the field, while in training, and during recovery.  

Here are several essential pieces of sports protection gear to help prevent common sports-related injuries.   

The Best Mouth Guards 

For contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer, and boxing, mouthguards protect a player’s teeth in the event of an impact to the head. Their use is also recommended for any sport where there is the danger of collision or falling, such as gymnastics, basketball, and volleyball.  

ShockDoctor Mouthguards 

A product image of a ShockDoctor Mouthguard

The updated design of the ShockDoctor MaxAirflow mouthguard allows for 10% more flow capacity with its AirFlow breathing channel. This one-size-fits-most mouthguard has a comfortable no-mold fit and lip guard. With its durable polymer construction, this latex-free, BPA free, Phthalate-free can even be worn with braces.   

The Best Compression Knee Sleeves 

The National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases funded a 2010 study that concluded that 1 in 20 Americans over 50, had artificial knees. That number is likely much greater today. Knees take quite a beating, which is especially true of athletes, who expect more of them.  

Compression sleeves help to support the muscles and ligaments around the knee, increasing stability to prevent injury. They also increase blood flow, which can help promote pain relief and accelerate recovery from an injury.  

Compression knee sleeves are used for symptomatic relief from the following acute or chronic joint injuries and conditions: 

  • Arthritis 
  • Tendonitis 
  • Joint pain 
  • Sprains 
  • Ligament injuries 

In addition, any sport or activity that involves a lot of running, jumping, or weightlifting is best done wearing a knee sleeve to prevent knee sprains and ligament tears.  

A proper fit is crucial, when it comes to compression sleeves. An improperly fitted brace, could slip, be ineffective, will be uncomfortable, and could dangerously restrict blood flow. Sleeves should also be made from breathable material to prevent skin irritation and infection.  

Incrediwear Knee Sleeve

A product image of the Incrediwear Compression Knee Sleeve for active knee pain relief with the product box next to it

The Incrediwear Knee Sleeve can be worn during and after sports or other athletic activities to reduce pain and accelerate recovery. It’s carefully engineered fabric increases blood flow and supports injured area, while wicking away moisture and allowing full mobility.    

The Best Chest Protection Shirts 

When it comes to baseball, softball, and football, "taking one to the chest” can cause minor or serious injury. With the proper chest protection, you can decrease the risk of injury and pain of impacts to the chest, whether from the ball or another player. 

McDavid HEX Sternum Shirt

Product image of a McDavid HEX Chest Protection Sports Shirt in white

With the McDavid HEX® Sternum Shirt, you or your little leaguer will have greater protection from chest or sternum injury with this quality, lightweight, padded shirt. In baseball and football, it’s especially needed for pitchers and batters, who have a higher risk of impact injury. The mesh fabric and moisture-wicking technology help you stay dry and comfortable while playing hard.  

The Best Padded Football Compression Shorts 

Padded football compression shorts provide muscles and ligament support for increased stability, while the additional padding protects against impact injuries. A 2019 study of male football players with groin pain indicated that compression shorts can be effective in reducing such pain and don’t interfere with athletic performance.  

McDavid Hex Thudd Short

Product image of McDavid Thudd Padded Compression Shorts in black 

The lightweight, breathable McDavid HEX Thudd Short, with its 9mm HEX Technology moves with the wearer to support the hips, tailbone, and thighs at all times. Appropriate for youth to pro footballers, these shorts have flat, strong, comfortable seams and can easily be machine washed and dried.  

The Best Circulation Gloves for Sports 

Whether it’s game day, practice, or the day after, circulation gloves help improve blood flow and circulation to keep hands warm, and prevent numbness. These types of gloves, also referred to as “arthritis gloves,” also help with the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and tendonitis. The importance of adding circulation gloves to your list of sports protection gear cannot be understated.  

Incrediwear Circulation Gloves

Product image of Incrediwear Fingerless Circulation Gloves in grey

Semiconductor elements embedded in the strong, yet comfortable, fabric blend of the Incrediwear Circulation Gloves provides uniform heat distribution to: 

  • Help increase blood flow 
  • Reduce inflammation 
  • Relieve discomfort 
  • Reduce numbness 

The fabric is also breathable and moisture-wicking. The fingerless design keeps fingers unencumbered while the warmth from the gloves keeps fingers nimbler. 

Find the Best Protective Sports Gear All in One Place 

Wearing the right protective equipment, can prevent injuries, reduce their severity, and help with recovery or symptom relief for a number of injuries or conditions. At Orthopedic Outfitters, we offer the best protective gear to prevent injuries, whether you’re playing hard or training hard.  

When you shop with OrthOut for your sports protection gear, you benefit from our more than 20 years of experience working with clinicians and consumers. We provide compassionate, timely customer care, so you can get on with your recovery, sports activities, and physiological wellness goals. Most OrthOut orders ship weekdays from our California warehouse, typically arriving in 1-5 days. When you spend $50 or more, the shipping is free.

Shop for all your sports gear needs today! 

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