Injury Prevention in The Sport of Surfing: An Update

A. Nathanson
Original Article, 171-178
doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.03
Full text PDF

SUMMARY
Background. The aim of this study is to review the literature on surfing injuries, with a focus on severe injuries, big-wave surfing and injury prevention.
Methods. A literature search of the MEDLINE database from 1980 to present via Pubmed and OVID was done using the terms surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, injury and injuries. Relevant books and websites were also referenced regarding recommendations for injury prevention. A total of 46 articles were retrieved, from which 37 were selected.
Results. The injury rate in surfing has been found to be 1.8 significant injuries per 1,000 hours and 3.5 per 1,000 days for recreational surfers and 4.0 per 1,000 days and 6.6 per 1,000 hours for competitive surfers. Lacerations are the most common type of injury accounting for 37-46% of all injuries followed by sprains/strain, contusions, fractures and dislocations. Impacts with surfboards (45 – 66%) and the sea floor are the most common mechanisms of injury. The most catastrophic injuries include drowning and injuries to the head and neck, often caused by impact with the sea floor.
Conclusions. Surfing is relatively safe compared to other extreme sports. Injury rates can likely be mitigated by the modification of surfboard design and the use of protective personal equipment.

Keywords: bodyboarding, injury, injury prevention, Surfing,

Table of Content: Vol. 10 (No.2) 2020 April/June

  1. Systems & Methods in Extreme Sports Medicine

    F. Feletti, A. P. Moorhead, O. Mei-Dan
    Editorial, 154-155
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.20
    Full text PDF

  2. Injury Patterns and Wilderness Medical Preparedness in BASE Jumping

    J. W. Sieker, G. M. Vilke, M. S. Schongalla, O. Mei-Dan
    Original Article, 156-164
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.01
    Full text PDF

  3. Use of a Prospective Survey Method to Capture a Picture of Overuse Injuries in Kitesurfing

    R. Paiano, F. Feletti, M. Tarabini, P. Buzzacott
    Original Article, 165-170
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.02
    Full text PDF

  4. Injury Prevention in The Sport of Surfing: An Update

    A. Nathanson
    Original Article, 171-178
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.03
    Full text PDF

  5. Injuries in Mountain Biking and Implications for Care

    D.C. Fiore, K. M. Fellows, T. A. Henner
    Original Article, 179-191
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.04
    Full text PDF

  6. Rodeo Injuries: The Role of Safety Equipment

    C. R. Reisenauer, J. W. Stoneback
    Original Article, 192-200
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.05
    Full text PDF

  7. Current Trends in Sport Climbing Injuries after the Inclusion into the Olympic Program. Analysis of 633 Injuries within the years 2017/18

    C. Lutter, T. Tischer, T. Hotfiel, L. Frank, A. Enz, M. Simon, V. Schöffl
    Original Article, 201-210
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.06
    Full text PDF

  8. A Review of Head Injury and Impact Biomechanics in Recreational Skiing and Snowboarding

    D A. Patton, A. S. McIntosh, B. E. Hagel, T. Krosshaug
    Review, 211-232
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.07
    Full text PDF

  9. Tendon Injuries in the Hands in Rock Climbers: Epidemiology, Anatomy, Biomechanics and Treatment – An Update

    V. Schöffl, I. Schöffl, L. Frank, T. Küpper, M. Simon, C. Lutter
    Original Article, 233-243
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.08
    Full text PDF

  10. Assessment of the Ultimate Actual Strength of Rock-Climbing Protection Devices: Extraction Tests in the Field and the Human Capability to Predict the Ultimate Strength

    A. Manes, F. Cadini
    Original Article, 244-256
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.09
    Full text PDF

  11. Practical and Conceptual Analysis of Wingsuit BASE Flight

    A. Stöckl, J. Sieker, A. Westman, O. Mei-Dan
    Original Article, 257-268
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.10
    Full text PDF

  12. Altitude Training and Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Performance

    M. Marzorati
    Mini - Review, 269-273
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.11
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  13. Accidents and Risk Related Behaviours in Downhill Mountain Biking in Regard to Trail Choice

    A. Frühauf, M. Huter, E. Weiß, M. Kopp
    Original Article, 274-279
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.12
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  14. Hand-arm vibration in motocross: measurement and mitigation actions

    M. Tarabini, N. Mauri, I. Gaudio, S. Cinquemani, A. P. Moorhead, R. Bongiovanni, F. Feletti
    Original Article, 280-289
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.13
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  15. Review on Reported Concussion, Identification and Management in Extreme Sports

    C. N. Seehusen, V. Mucci, K. E. Welman, C. J. Browne, F. Feletti, A. J. Provance
    Review, 290-299
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.14
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  16. Surgical treatment of muscle injury. A review of current literature and indications

    A. Giai Via, G. Discalzo, F. Oliva, R. Matteotti, N. Maffulli
    Review, 300-308
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.15
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  17. Conceptualising Performance Enhancement in Extreme Sports: Combining Physiological and Psychological Perspectives

    E. Monasterio, E. Brymer, I. Stewart
    Original Article, 309-314
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.16
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  18. An Ecological Dynamics Perspective of Return to Play Decision-Making for Extreme Sport Athletes

    J. Nyland, A. Smith, B. Pyle, O. Mei-Dan
    Original Article, 315-324
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.17
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  19. Protective and Supportive Garments and Bracing to Enhance Extreme Sport Performance and Injury Prevention

    J. Nyland, A. Cecil, R. Singh, C. Raj Pandey
    Original Article, 325-332
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.18
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  20. A Systematic Review of Smart Clothing in Sports: possible Applications to Extreme Sports

    S. Scataglini, A. P. Moorhead, F. Feletti
    Original Article, 333-342
    doi: 10.32098/mltj.02.2020.19
    Full text PDF