| Study | Lowdon [2] | Steinman [3] | Nathanson [4] | Taylor [5] | Present study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population and geographic origin |
Retrospective survey of 346 members of Australian Surfing Association, Victoria, Australia. | Retrospective survey of 930 surfers in Brazil. |
Prospective study of surfers in 32 competitions in Hawaii, Australia, California, Tahiti and Argentina. |
Prospective survey of a convenience sample of 646 surfers interviewed at beaches in Victoria, Australia. | Retrospective survey of 974 people who have surfed in Norway. |
| Average age (SD) | 22 (5.7) | 24 (6.3) | 24 (7) | 28 (7.9) | 29 (7.3) |
| Male gender | 95% | 95% | 87% | 90% | 71% |
| Average of years surfing | 8 | 59% > 5 years | Unknown | 12 | 6 |
| No. of acute injury | 311 | 766 | 116 | 168 | 511 |
| Injury rate Injuries/ 1000 d |
3.5 | 2.5 | - | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| Injuries/ 1000 h | 1.2 | 6.6 | 1.1 | 0.74 | |
| Injured body part Head/neck |
37% | 16% | 25% | 29% | 43% |
| Lower limbs | 63% | 38% | 39% | 46% | 29% |
| Upper limbs | 18% | 25% | 5% | 15% | |
| Torso | 8% | 11% | 20% | 13% | |
| Other | 0% | 21% | 0% | 0.2% | |
| Type of injury Laceration/abrasion |
44% | 53% | 35% | 46% | 30% |
| Contusions | 4% | 20% | 9% | 0% | 22% |
| Sprain/strains | 29% | 19% | 39% | 29% | 21% |
| Fractures | 16% | 3% | 5% | 9% | 10% |
| Dislocations | 1% | 4% | 4% | 11% | 2% |
| Other* | 6% | 2% | 9% | 5% | 14% |
| * Includes tympanic membrane rupture, tooth fracture/avulsion, concussion, hypothermia and near drowning. | |||||
| Cause of injury Surfboard |
53% | 36% | 29% | 42% | 47% |
| Seafloor | 13% | 17% | 24% | 18% | 25% |
| Wave force | 6% | 12% | 36% | 8% | |
| Surf maneuver | 17% | 35% | 16% | 0% | 14% |
| Marine animal | 1% | 9% | 2% | 1% | 0.3% |
| Other | 10% | 3% | 17% | 3% | 6% |