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Shoulder pads are specifically designed to provide protection to the upper body, especially in contact sports. They primarily serve to shield the AC joint from impacts, making the prevention of AC joint separation their primary function. The AC joint, or acromioclavicular joint, is located at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade.

When athletes engage in sports that involve tackling, collisions, or falls, shoulder pads help to absorb and distribute the force that could potentially lead to an injury such as an AC joint separation. Additionally, while shoulder pads offer some degree of protection to other areas and types of injuries, their main protective feature is aimed at the AC joint due to the joint's vulnerability in contact scenarios.

Other injuries such as glenohumeral joint separations, rotator cuff tendinitis, and brachial plexus injuries are related to different mechanisms of injury and may not be as directly influenced by the protective capabilities of shoulder pads.