A new research study has looked at the effectiveness of commercially available shin guards at protecting against lower leg (tibia) fractures. The researchers tested 23 models of four main types - plastic, fibreglass, compressed air and Kevlar.

The guards were placed on a model leg which was designed from a human cadaver and included a synthetic tibia. An impact was provided by a machine and the resultant force, strain and contact times of the impact on the tibia were measured. These results were compared to the resultant forces and strain on the unguarded model leg.

The findings were very positive: all types of shin guards provided some kind of protection against tibia injury, reducing tibial force by 11-17% and tibial strain by 45-51% when compared to the unguarded model leg.

Am J Sports Med, 28 (2), pp 227-233