Ultraviolet Erythematic Radiation dose received by golfers in winter, in Valencia

Ultraviolet sun exposure and sun protection behaviors in outdoor rock climbers

BACKGROUND

Overexposure to sunlight and sunburn are the main preventable causes of skin cancer. Outdoor sports are associated with significant levels of sunlight exposure.

AIMS

We sought to quantify the sun radiation exposure received by outdoor rock climbers and assess their sun exposure habits, sun protection behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge regarding skin cancer.

METHODS

From April to June 2021, outdoor rock climbers contacted via email completed an online validated self-reported questionnaire on sun related habits, behaviors, attitudes and knowledge. As a pilot trial, ten participants wore a personal dosimeter during two outdoor climbing weekends in May and November 2021. Ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) was also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 217 outdoor rock climbers (103 women), mean age 36.8 ± 8.8 years (range 20-70 years) and median climbing practice per week of 8 h (IQR 7.5) were studied. Two in three (65.9%) participants reported at least one sunburn event during the previous rock climbing season. Of the survey respondents, 49.3% reported using sunscreen with SPF ≥ 15, 47% wore sunglasses, and 14.3% indicated they reapplied sunscreen every two hours. The median personal UVR dose measured during the two outdoor climbing weekends analyzed was 5.2 (IQR 1.8) and 8.8 (IQR 1.1) standard erythemal doses, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rates of sunburn, the elevated personal UVR measured and the clearly insufficient sun protection practices followed during rock climbing together with unsatisfactory attitudes towards tanning reveal the need to develop explicit sun protection campaigns and educational strategies to reduce the risk of skin cancer among the athletes studied.

Ultraviolet exposure of competitors during a Tokyo Olympic Sailing Regatta Test Event

BACKGROUND

Overexposure to sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Photoprotection practices and sunburn play a crucial role in skin cancer prevention.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to quantify the risk of sun exposure and to evaluate photoprotection practices in Spanish sailors during Olympic competitions.

METHODS

Solar daily ultraviolet (UV) radiation cycle, personal UV dosimetry, photoprotection practices and sunburn checking were followed during three consecutive days of competition among sailors from the Spanish Olympic Sailing Team during a Tokyo Olympic Regatta Test Event.

RESULTS

A total of 13 sailors (7 women), with mean age of 27.6 ± 4.7 years and sports experience of 17.7 ± 5.4 years, were studied. The most common phototypes were type III (53.8%) and type II (38.5%). The rate of sunburn checked was high (46.2%). The mean daily personal UV exposure received was 761.0 ± 263.6 J/m² , 3.0 ± 1.1 minimal erythemal dose and 7.6 ± 2.6 standard erythemal dose, seven times greater than the maximum permissible UV light exposure values for an 8 h working day. The use of a T-shirt was the most common practice (94.2%), followed by the use of shade (50.2%), hat/cap (44.0%), sunglasses (26.1%) and sunscreen (11.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Olympic sailor's studies presented high levels of UV radiation received, high rate of sunburn and insufficient adherence to sun-protective behaviours (especially, to use of sunscreen) to prevent sunburn, the main cause of skin cancer. Sport Federations should develop educational campaigns addressing sun-related exposure habits and photoprotection behaviours to reduce the risk of skin cancer among these athletes.

Wearable ultraviolet radiation sensors for research and personal use

Skin cancers are strongly linked to personal exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, yet UV exposure is also the most preventable risk factor. People are exposed to UV rays when they engage in outdoor activities, particularly exercise, which is an important health behavior. Thus, researchers and the general public have shown increasing interest in measuring UV exposure using wearable sensors during outdoor physical activity. However, minimal research exists at the intersection of UV sensors, personal exposure, adaptive behavior due to exposures, and risk of skin damage. Recent years have seen an influx of new consumer-based and research-based UV-sensing technologies with wide-ranging form factors and purposes to fill this research gap, yet a thorough review of available sensors for specific purposes does not exist. Hence, the overall goal of this state-of-the-art review is to synthesize the current academic and gray literature surrounding personal UV-sensing technologies. Peer-reviewed journal articles and "gray literature," such as working papers, manuals, and UV sensor websites, were reviewed, assessing attributes of UV wearables marketed for research use, personal use, or both. Overall, 13 wearable UV sensors are available for personal use and/or research applications. These sensors vary from electronic to photochromic, with large differences in price, data outputs, accuracy, and precision. Recommendations are provided for which sensors are most suitable for various types of research or public use. Notably, the review findings will help guide researchers in future studies assessing UV exposure during physical activity.

Photoprotection in Outdoor Sports: A Review of the Literature and Recommendations to Reduce Risk Among Athletes

Solar exposure, for long hours and often at peak times with limited shade available, predisposes athletes to episodic sunburn and chronic damage, causing increased risk of precancerous lesions and skin cancer. Environmental factors and training intensity affect risk. Clothing provides good protection, but changing established "uniforms" may not be possible for reasons of practicality, safety, or simply custom. Although physical activity should be encouraged for its physical and mental benefits, risk of skin damage should be minimised. We review existing behaviours, skin cancer risk, and campaigns in the sporting population and highlight key recommendations to help sun protection practices become engrained in sports practice.

Measured UV Exposures of Ironman, Sprint and Olympic-Distance Triathlon Competitors

Triathletes present an extreme case of modelled behaviour in outdoor sport that favours enhanced exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. This research presents personal solar ultraviolet exposures, measured using all-weather polysulphone film dosimeters, to triathletes during the distinct swimming, cycling and running stages of competitive Sprint, Olympic and Ironman events conducted within Australia and New Zealand. Measurements of exposure are made for each triathlon stage using film dosimeters fixed at a single site to the headwear of competing triathletes. Exposures are expressed relative to the local ambient and as absolute calibrated erythemally effective values across a total of eight triathlon courses (two Ironman, one half Ironman, one Olympic-distance, and four Sprint events). Competitor exposure results during training are also presented. Exposures range from between 0.2 to 6.8 SED/h (SED: standard erythema dose) depending upon the time of year, the local time of each event and cloud conditions. Cycle stage exposures can exceed 20 SED and represent the highest exposure fraction of any triathlon (average = 32%). The next highest stage exposure occurred during the swim (average = 28%), followed by the run (average = 26%). During an Ironman, personal competitor exposures exceed 30 SED, making triathlon a sporting discipline with potentially the highest personal ultraviolet exposure risk.

Biologically effective solar ultraviolet exposures and the potential skin cancer risk for individual gold medalists of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games

Personal solar ultraviolet radiation exposure models were developed for 144 Olympic events scheduled outdoors from across the 33 sport disciplines that will compete in Tokyo between 24 July and 9 August 2020. Ambient exposure models were developed from existing atmospheric parameters measured over Tokyo (35.7°N 139.7°E) and were used to weight erythemally effective solar ultraviolet exposure to gold medalists, taking into account body posture and expected protection by competitor's clothing which was assessed in comparison to respective medalists of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Individual exposure models consider the ultraviolet surface albedo (lawn, concrete, water or sand) and timing of daily events held within Olympic venues. Exposure assessments are presented, including assessments of all preliminary rounds and qualifiers. Within scheduled outdoor events, we award first place (representing the highest and most harmful UV exposure) to the women's tennis singles (1680 J/m²), second to men's golf (1530 J/m²) and third to the men's cycling road race (941 J/m²) for the highest expected erythemally effective solar ultraviolet radiation exposures of the 2020 Tokyo Games. The highest expected solar ultraviolet exposures for nations expected to win greater than three gold medals among the outdoor events were found to occur in athletes from Kenya followed closely by the United States and Hungary. Gold medalists from South Korea were found to demonstrate the highest level of sun protection due to clothing at the 2016 Rio Games, and are thus expected to receive the greatest relative reduction in erythemally effective exposure during the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The relationships between golf and health: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationships between golf and health.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

Published and unpublished reports of any age or language, identified by searching electronic databases, platforms, reference lists, websites and from consulting experts.

REVIEW METHODS

A 3-step search strategy identified relevant published primary and secondary studies as well as grey literature. Identified studies were screened for final inclusion. Data were extracted using a standardised tool, to form (1) a descriptive analysis and (2) a thematic summary.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4944 records were identified with an initial search. 301 studies met criteria for the scoping review. Golf can provide moderate intensity physical activity and is associated with physical health benefits that include improved cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic profiles, and improved wellness. There is limited evidence related to golf and mental health. The incidence of golfing injury is moderate, with back injuries the most frequent. Accidental head injuries are rare, but can have serious consequences.

CONCLUSIONS

Practitioners and policymakers can be encouraged to support more people to play golf, due to associated improved physical health and mental well-being, and a potential contribution to increased life expectancy. Injuries and illnesses associated with golf have been identified, and risk reduction strategies are warranted. Further research priorities include systematic reviews to further explore the cause and effect nature of the relationships described. Research characterising golf's contribution to muscular strengthening, balance and falls prevention as well as further assessing the associations and effects between golf and mental health are also indicated.