Rib Protection for Sports

The rib cage protects the heart, lungs and blood vessels, among other organs. Made up of 12 pairs of ribs that meet at individual vertebrae on the spine, the rib cage is supported by a thin fabric of muscle, enabling it to expand and contract during respiration. Most pairs, other than the bottom two, connect directly or indirectly to the sternum in the front. The rib cage requires special protection during participation in high-impact sports.

Football

American football at the high school, college and professional levels is the quintessential contact sport. At the line of scrimmage and in the backfield, ball carriers are vulnerable to tackles or knockdowns. Likewise, defensive players who do the tackling are themselves subject to being leveled by the offensive line. Rib injuries are not uncommon in this game, manifest in bruises, sprains and fractures. To mitigate the hard impact implicit in football, players may don rib vests -- padded vests fitted to the player by chest size. Other options include rib pads, which attach to and extend from shoulder pads, or adjustable plastic belts that encircle the rib cage.

Martial Arts

Sparring in the various styles of karate, tae kwon do and king fu is simulated combat. The front of the upper body is the prime target area, putting the ribs in the bull's-eye. Not only are the ribs themselves subject to injury, but the cartilage connecting ribs to sternum can tear upon a direct blow, a condition known as costochondral separation. Chest protectors are required in most martial arts tournaments, particularly tae kwon do competitions, where kicks are favored as strikes. Many of these vests are reversible so identifying colors can be referenced by sparring judges and are either laced in the back or fastened with Velcro. Moreover, the constituent artificial leather and compressed foam serve to blunt the trauma of punches and kicks.

Ice Hockey

The American Academy of Pediatrics has classified ice hockey as a "collision sport," as collisions are prone to occur when traveling on the ice at high speeds. But rib injuries are inflicted in other ways, as well. Body checking, high sticking and even contact with a skate blade after a fall are culpable events. Traditionally, goalies -- being on the receiving end of 100 mile per hour pucks -- have always been well-insulated. Yet players' upper bodies are extremely vulnerable, accounting for 27 percent of injuries in Canadian youth leagues. To meet this need, sporting goods manufacturers have developed specialized padded shirts that fit comfortably under hockey jerseys. These moisture-absorbent polyester shirts contain perforated foam and plastic to protect the chest, abdomen and arms.

Rodeo

Bronco busting, steer wrestling and bull riding provide ample opportunity for a rib to make contact with the hard ground, not to mention a horn or a hoof. While concussions may be more frequent, rib injuries are more painful and take longer to heal. Rodeo vests look like typical leather cowboy vests but are reinforced to provide some blunt force protection. Recent innovations make use of silicon technology, making the vests less bulky and more comfortable.