Lattice structures have been widely studied in various fields due to their lightweight and high-energy absorption capabilities. In this study, we propose the use of lattice structures in the design of sports protective equipment for contact sports athletes. A total of six specimens were additively manufactured either with a bending-dominated rhombic dodecahedron (RD) structure or stretch-dominated re-entrant (RE) structure. Elastic resin was used to investigate the specimens’ compressive strength and energy absorption, impact reduction, and flexural properties in comparison with those of conventional foam and rigid polyethylene (PU). Despite having a lower relative density, the RE structure exhibits greater stiffness, showing up to 40% greater hardness and averaging 30.5% higher bending rigidity compared with the RD structure. However, it unexpectedly shows less stability and strength under uniaxial loading, which is 3 to 6 times weaker when compared with the non-auxetic RD structure. Although conventional PU has higher loading than 3D-printed lattices, the lattice shows excellent bendability, which is only 1.5 to 3 times stiffer than that of foam. The 3D-printed lattice in this study shows an optimal improvement of 43% in terms of impact absorption compared with foam and a 2.3% improvement compared with PU. Amongst the six different unit cell dimensions and structures studied, the RD lattice with a cell size of 5 mm is the most promising candidate; it has superior elasticity, compressive strength, and impact resistance performance whether it is under low- or high-impact conditions. The findings of this study provide a basis for the development of 3D-printed lattice sports protective chest equipment, which is more comfortable and offers improved protection for contact sports players.

Glove fit is crucial for both wear comfort and safety. A well-fitting glove can be realized by combining anthropometric hand measurements from three-dimensional (3D) scanning with the finite element method (FEM). This study reviews how accurate hand measurements and model interactions can be achieved to improve design and enhance protection. A total of 26 articles were selected for an integrated analysis and evaluation. The results indicate an increase in accuracy in 3D scanning with greater resolution, in which the optimum value has not been discovered. While the numbers of landmarks (ranging from 14 to 50) depend on the specific purpose, they do not directly correlate with precision. On the other hand, the authenticity of the FEM is closely related to the number and size of the finite elements, with simulation error decreasing as the applied force increases (R² > 0.78). It is also noteworthy that the image-based approach, motion state, and model used in the FEM do not significantly affect precision. Both technologies provide a comprehensive approach for glove design, as they combine accurate anatomical data with predictive modeling of mechanical performance and fit. Yet, challenges are identified, such as divergent standards in data retrieval and low accessibility, which inhibit the application of these two techniques in glove construction. Future studies should address the issues of improving scanning coverage, standardizing the data collection models, expanding glove application in different fields, and adopting artificial intelligence to improve the design, construction, or manufacture of gloves.