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Do wrist guards have the potential to protect against wrist injuries in bicycling, micro scooter riding, and monkey bar play?
  1. E Cassell,
  2. K Ashby,
  3. A Gunatilaka,
  4. A Clapperton
  1. Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia
  1. Correspondence to:
 Ms E Cassell
 Accident Research Centre, Building 70, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia; erin.cassellgeneral.monash.edu.au

Abstract

Objective: To test the potential of wrist guards to prevent wrist injury in recreational activities that require good grip strength and hand dexterity.

Methods: Forty eight children aged 5–8 years from one Melbourne school volunteered for tests chosen or devised following a review of the literature on the effects of orthoses use and hand function.

Results: Wrist guard wearing significantly degraded grip strength, bicycle steering, and performance on a monkey bar. Micro scooter steering was not significantly affected by their use.

Conclusion: Wrist guards designed for skating are not recommended for bicycle riding and playing on climbing apparatus, and their suitability for scooter riding requires further investigation.

  • wrist guards
  • arm fracture

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Footnotes

  • The authors have no competing interests with regard to this research.

  • Ethics Approval was obtained from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee and the Department of Education of Victoria.