Acute Injuries in Recreational and Competitive Surfers: Incidence, Severity, Location, Type, and Mechanism
Although the popularity of surfing has grown dramatically with an estimated current 37 million surfers worldwide, there is a relative paucity of research compared with other mainstream sports. A better understanding of the epidemiology of surfing-related injuries is needed for possible prevention strategies and improved treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate acute injuries among recreational and competitive surfers in Australia and to create targeted injury-prevention strategies.
The investigators performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of Australian surfers by using an online survey that collected demographic and injury information of surfers with at least 12 months of surfing experience. Of the 1348 surveys included in the analysis, 91% were males, 43% were competitive surfers, and the average age was 35.8 years. Of all respondents, 38% experienced at least 1 acute major injury while surfing, with an incidence rate of 1.79 injuries per 1000 hours of surfing. Risk factors for higher incidence of injuries included competitive surfing status, more than 6.5 hours per week of surfing, and performing aerial maneuvers. The most common injury locations were to the shoulder, ankle, and head and face, with the most common injury type to the muscles, joint, and skin. Approximately half of injuries resulted from trauma from another surfer’s board or contact with the ocean floor.
This is the largest Australian national study focused on surfing-specific injuries and provides a foundation for injury-prevention strategies and increased awareness for medical providers. Possible prevention measures include specific conditioning exercises and counseling high-risk surfers who perform aerial maneuvers at a competitive level.
(Am J Sports Med. 2015;43:1246–1254) J Furness, W Hing, J Walsh, et al.
Prepared by Matthew Stewart, MD, FAWM, University of Utah Emergency Medicine Global Health Fellow, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.