Injuries characteristics and their relationship with age in kitesurfers in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Kitesurfing is a sport that requires a combination of physical and technical skills, such as balance, strength, coordination, and knowledge of the wind and sea conditions. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between age, physical fitness and injuries, in order to understand how these factors impact kitesurfing. Methods: This cross-sectional study included male and female kitesurfers ≥ 18 years of age. All participants completed an electronic questionnaire developed by the study researchers, containing open- and closed-ended questions about their profile, physical conditioning, and injury history. Results: A total of 28 kitesurfers participated in the study with a mean age of 44.1 (± 7.6) years, 53.6% were married, 46.4% lived in the Southeast and 42.9% in the South of Brazil. The majority (64.3%) has a postgraduate degree, and 14.3% a master's or doctorate degree. Consequently, 78.6%
reported a monthly income above 1,333 USD. Regarding injuries, 78.6% reported having experienced at least one, with 53.6% requiring immediate medical attention. Age was positively correlated with both the number of injuries (r = 0.38; p = 0.04) and time spent warming up before kitesurfing (r = 0.43; p = 0.02). Lower limb injuries accounted for 61% of all cases: 31% in the ankle/foot, 22% in the knees, and 8.3% in the hips. Conclusion: Kitesurfing, commonly practiced by individuals with high educational and income levels, is linked to a high incidence of lower limb injuries. Age appears to be a contributing factor to the increased risk of injury.