Citation

Barbosa-Sequeira J, Oliveira J, Lorenzo-Martínez M, Barcala-Furelos R, Queiroga AC, Moreira-Pinto J. Sport. Orthopaed. Trauma. 2023; 39(2): 155-162.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.orthtr.2022.11.002

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Surfing is an increasingly popular recreational sport in Portugal. Although surfing-related injuries have short-term and long-term impact, little is known about their prevalence. Our purpose is to determine the lifetime prevalence of surfing-related injuries in the Portuguese surfing teachers (ST) population. Material and methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the Portuguese ST population. An online survey was distributed through all surfing schools registered at Portuguese Surf Federation to their teachers. The survey included a brief demographic characterization and questions regarding past surf injuries.

RESULTS: 102 teachers answered the survey. Most ST were male (94,1%), with a median age of 37 years old (range 20-52) and a median surfing practice experience of 22 years (range 1-40). The most frequent injuries were musculoskeletal (58.2%) and skin and soft tissue conditions (58.2%). 46.8% reported previous history of external ear exostosis, and 17.7% pterygium. Concussion, vertebral trauma, and drowning were rare. We found no association between types of surfing modalities and previous history of surf-related injuries (p > 0.05).

DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first research on injuries of Portuguese ST. ST constitute an experienced surfing population, which makes them a good sample to get a diverse history of past injuries. Thus, getting a broader perspective on acute and long-term injuries that surfers can suffer while practicing the sport.

CONCLUSION: Portuguese ST have a high rate of traumatic injuries, which point to the need for a systematic approach to injury prevention and water safety education in the surfing community.

Language: en

Keywords

Wounds and injuries; Sports medicine; Exostosis; Pterygium; Water sports