Which of the following is essential for player safety regarding sports facilities?

Padded permanent fixtures are essential for player safety in sports facilities because they help to minimize the risk of injury during play. Sports can involve a significant amount of physical contact and high-impact movements. Permanent fixtures, such as goalposts, walls, or benches, pose potential hazards if players collide with them. By padding these fixtures, the hard surfaces are softened, and the likelihood of serious injuries such as concussions, cuts, or bruises is reduced. This safety measure is particularly important in sports involving high-speed play or close contact, where athletes may accidentally come into contact with these fixtures.

The other options do not directly contribute to player safety in the same way. While decorative elements can enhance the visual appeal of a facility, they have no bearing on safety. Access to social media does not impact the physical safety of players and is unrelated to the structural aspects of a sports facility. The size of the playing fields is important for gameplay and regulation compliance, but it does not inherently protect players from injuries associated with physical contact with surrounding fixtures. Thus, padded permanent fixtures are a crucial safety feature in any sports environment.