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Inline Skating Safety Gear: Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards

Home » Inline Skating » Skating Safety » Inline Skating Safety Gear: Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards

Although head injuries in inline skating accidents are often the most serious type of injury, wrist injuries are the most common. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (November 28, 1998) assessed the risk factors for wrist, elbow and knee injuries in skating. Almost twenty-five percent of the participants who had wrist injuries, indeed, had wrist fractures. Researchers concluded that wrist guards and elbow pads were very effective in preventing injuries. (Head injuries were not studied in this report and the data on knee pads was inconclusive.) Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards can be purchased just about anywhere that sells inline skates. For adults, they come in unisex styles and usually in small, medium and large sizes. Children and youth styles are also available. Prices average around $25 for a combination packages that include the knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. Items can be bought separately at a slightly higher cost.

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