The Role of Sports Protective Equipment in Injury Prevention: Athlete Feedback on Safety Gear and Its Effectiveness

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of sports protective equipment and the perceptions of university athletes regarding its use, comfort, and role in injury prevention. The research focused on football, cricket, and hockey players, who are often exposed to high injury risk due to collisions, rapid movement, and high-speed projectiles. A sample of 150 both male and females was employed (Cricket =50, Football=50, hockey =50) athletes from the University of the Punjab and the University of Education Lahore was selected through a convenient random sampling technique. These institutions were selected due to their established sports programs and diversity of athletes participating in Football, Cricket, and Hockey. The sample size was justified using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling table, which recommends a sample of 150 for a population size of 300. This sample size was considered adequate for obtaining reliable and representative results. the researcher employed an adapted version of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) developed by Petrides (2009). Although originally designed to assess emotional intelligence, specific items were adapted under expert supervision to measure athletes‘perceptions of protective equipment. The questionnaire consisted of 25 items measured on a five point Likert scale, where 1 represented "Strongly Agree" and 5 represented "Strongly Disagree." adapted questionnaire, validated by experts, was used to collect data on athlete opinions, usage behavior, and perceived effectiveness of safety equipment. Results showed strong agreement that protective gear improves safety and prevents injuries, with comfort, fit, and design influencing acceptance and consistent use. Although modern safety gear was widely viewed as effective, concerns persisted about discomfort, limited availability, affordability, and inconsistent enforcement by coaches. The findings highlight the need for enhanced athlete education, improved gear design, and continuous innovation in sport-specific protective equipment. The study contributes to a better understanding of athlete-centered factors that influence safety compliance in sports environments.