Aquatic Board Sport Injuries: A Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Aquatic Sports Science

Background:

• Aquatic board sports including traditional surfing, kitesurfing, skimboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and foil surfing are experiencing increased global participation.
• This rise in popularity highlights a need to understand the unique injury profiles associated with each discipline.
• Clinicians and practitioners require specific knowledge to address the health and safety of participants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current literature on injuries sustained in various aquatic board sports.
• To identify and summarize common injury types, mechanisms, and sport-specific patterns.
• To provide evidence-based guidance for clinicians on injury prevention and management in these activities.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing scientific literature pertaining to injuries in aquatic board sports.
• Analysis of injury data, categorizing by sport (e.g., surfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding).
• Synthesis of information on injury mechanisms, types, and epidemiological patterns.

Main Results:

• Common injuries across aquatic board sports include sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations.
• Specific patterns emerge, such as head and neck injuries in surfing and shoulder injuries in kitesurfing.
• Foil surfing presents unique risks due to the nature of the equipment and wave interaction.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing sport-specific injury patterns in aquatic board sports is essential for targeted prevention strategies.
• Healthcare providers should be aware of these distinct injury profiles to offer optimal patient care.
• Further research into injury epidemiology and biomechanics for emerging sports like foil surfing is warranted.