OBJECTIVE: to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in Paraná coast surfers. METHODS: Sixty men (27 ± 6 years) completed a semistructured questionnaire on surfing(category, practice time daily and weekly and exercises performed before and/or after surfing) and characteristics of injuries induced by this sport. A descriptive analysis of the data on distribution of the relative frequency was performed. RESULTS: It was found that 70% of the respondents practiced surfing as relaxing activity, 28% were amateurs and 2% were professionals, who were surfing for 10 years or more. Most of them surfed between 2 to 4 times a week during 2 to 4 hours a day. The exercise more accomplished before surfing was stretching the upper and lower limbs and no exercises at all after practice. The most prevalent injury was contusion (29%), the segment most affected was the lower limb (46%) and the most common cause of injury was the contact with the board (52%). The period of absence that was more reported was 1-3 months and the most frequent treatment was taking medicines. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant category of recreational surfers with prevalence of contusion in the lower limbs, resulting from contact with the board, being treated with medication and rest. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective Study.
Athletic injuries; Prevalence; Physical Therapy specialty
