Athletic equipment must provide reliable protection in intense athletic environments. Equipment, such as wall padding, must simultaneously provide a solid buffer between a player and a wall while being flexible enough to provide a cushion for the player. Both of these elements of wall padding combine the perfect balance of impact absorption and impact resistance.
It is that same balance of absorption and resistance that goes into our field wall padding. Below, we take a closer look at impact absorption and impact resistance and how they both play a role in ensuring the safety of athletes.
Impact Absorption
Wall padding is engineered from polyurethane foam. This type of foam has the ability to absorb the shock from an impact. In other words, it can soak up the energy while providing enough cushion to keep the player from feeling the pain or other severe physical effects of the collision.
Field wall pads are designed specifically for all types of impact scenarios and body weights. So, whether a person plays softball, basketball, football, volleyball, baseball, or football, there is padding designed to absorb the impact of a player. A strong, heavy athlete could be running at full speed with athletic equipment. The padding is still soft enough to soak in the energy caused by running or falling into a wall.
Impact Resistance
However, if there is too much impact absorption, the wall padding would collapse or break away. This would leave the wall exposed and the athlete vulnerable to injury. Therefore, the polyurethane foam needs to provide enough resistance to create an adequate buffer between the player and the brick, metal, or wood wall.
Our walls pads are built thick enough to resist the impact caused by a player running into the wall. Most wall padding is at least two inches thick—in some cases, even thicker. Thus, the same padding that cushions a blow also provides a solid barrier between the person and the hard surface.
Shape Retention
There is a third element to wall padding that needs to be discussed, as well: shape retention.
What would happen if the polyurethane foam did not bounce back into shape after an impact? Eventually, an athlete would bust through the foam and hit the wall. This is why we use polyurethane foam. The material has the ability to reposition back into its original shape and provide the same level of impact absorption and resistance with every impact.
When you combine absorption, resistance, and retention, you have the perfect combination for athletic safety on the field or in the gym.
Fieldwallpads.com Offers Wall Padding Design
Fieldwallpads.com can help your college or professional sports team establish your brand through our amazing wall padding products. To find out more about our products or schedule a consultation, call us at 800-257-6406. You can also message us on our contact page.