Balls on the line: rethinking testing of genital protectors

Abstract

Objective: To test genital protectors and assess whether they provide adequate safety for players of high-velocity ball sports in a simulated environment.

Methods: Cricket balls were thrown at genital protectors in indoor and outdoor settings made to simulate real-world playing and training conditions. The cricket balls were propelled towards the target using a bowling machine at different speeds. Genital protectors were analysed for damage after every strike with the cricket ball. Photographs and videos were taken assisting in the visualisation and analysis of the results.

Results: All the samples tested sustained some major damage when struck with the cricket ball at the highest velocity. Some samples suffered minor damage at lower velocities as well.

Conclusion: Current genital protectors worn by the majority of cricket players may not be providing adequate protection to the genital region of the players wearing them. More rigorous testing is needed to further ascertain how the underlying anatomical structures are being affected by current genital protectors and how we can protect our players with improved safety apparatus.

Keywords: genital protectors; genitourinary; scrotal; sports; trauma.