Youth: Blood, Sweat, Tears - How to Protect Against the Elements in Soccer
Jul 15, 2021
Truth be told, soccer is a sport in which there are 1001 ways to get injured. That might be a slight exaggeration, but the reality is that players can get hurt on the field, by the sun, and by far more. Some of the elements that cause injuries are ones that players and coaches easily overlook, but are a concern nonetheless. But you can shield yourself against pretty much all of them. This post will take a look at some of the more overlooked injuries that occur in soccer, and how goalkeepers can protect themselves.
Sunburn (need for UV protection)
Sunburns are not only unsightly and painful, they’re also dangerous and soccer players aren’t immune to them. By now you know that sunburns can have devastating consequences, the most serious one being skin cancer. Standing or running on a cloudless day under the blistering hot sun is a recipe for sunburn, especially when players don’t have adequate protection.
The fix for this is simple - sun protection. Sunscreen is important, yes, but so is the soccer gear a player wears since sunscreen is not always effective on its own. That’s why we recommend soccer gear that provides UV protection for added protection. Our padded jerseys and padded pants contain fabrics that offer UV resistance, meaning players won’t receive as high of a dose of solar radiation on protected areas.
Heat/cold extreme
Temperature extremes rarely leave players unaffected. Extreme cold is problematic because players may get hypothermia and even frostbite if they’re not careful. Extreme heat also poses a danger because it reduces the body’s ability to cool off, which can lead to dehydration and heat strokes. It goes without saying that games and practices should be cancelled, rescheduled or relocated when there are temperature extremes.
But when it’s hard to determine how severe a temperature really is, players should wear temperature-resistant clothing. For cold weather, that means long sleeve training gear with padding, which ideally can cover your neck and hands. For hot weather, you should opt for soccer training gear and jerseys that are lightweight and breathable, and also moisture-wicking for comfort.
Harsh Turf
The turf can feel unforgiving - we mean that literally. If you’re sliding on artificial turf, those abrasive, fake blades of grass might cut into your skin and give you turf burn. They’re the deep cuts that leave your skin open and bloody (raspberry-like) and even prone to infection.
Fortunately, soccer protective gear made with tear-resistant fabrics can reduce the risk of turf burns. The fabrics stay intact even while you slide on turf, so they don’t rip. That means no cuts or scrapes. You can find these anti-turf burn fabrics in many of our products especially among our arm sleeves and leg sleeves.
Bug Bites
Back at World Cup 2018 in Russia, England and Tunisia had to battle a swarm of mosquitoes and midges that bit and attacked players. We don’t give much thought to bugs on the pitch, that’s until they bite and cause an itch (or more). Bug bites during soccer games are more common than you’d imagine.
And they’re not fun. So it doesn’t hurt to think about bug protection. Bug spray is a good start. Also, long sleeved (both arms and legs) can cover exposed areas of skin that bugs may bite. Gnawing insects can’t bite through the fabrics. Additionally, our jerseys and pants contain sweat-wicking fabrics that also provide odour protection, meaning you’ll be less of a magnet to insects.
Shield Yourself Against the Elements On the Pitch
Soccer comes with a lot of hazards that don’t get nearly enough attention. You can’t protect yourself against all of them at all times, but you can shield yourself from the worst with the right soccer protective gear. And by doing so, you can stay in the zone no matter what elements you face.
Looking for soccer training gear? Browse through our selection of men’s, women’s and youth apparel and gear.
