Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the nature, cause and rate of moderate to severe injuries, to international competitive surfboard riders. Eighty-six male and female surfers were interviewed and reported 187 injuries over a 2 year period. Lacerations (45) and other soft tissue injuries (46) were the most common injuries requiring medical attention and/or days lost from surfing. Although the annual rate of 1.1 injuries per surfer or 4.0 injuries per 1000 surfing days is not high compared to some other popular sports, it is recommended that medical and surfing representatives meet to consider means of reducing trauma, and that sports physicians and surf coaches give direction to surfers on stretching and warm-up for the sport to reduce the possibility of some soft tissue injuries. Verf.-Referat