Do wrist guards have the potential to protect against wrist injuries in bicycling, micro scooter riding, and monkey bar play?
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Cassell
E
E
Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Building 70, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia. erin.cassell@general.monash.edu.au
Ashby
K
K
Gunatilaka
A
A
Clapperton
A
A
D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000293:injuries*; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*