Sunscreen use among collegiate athletes.

BACKGROUND

College athletes participating in outdoor sports are a population with extensive exposure to ultraviolet radiation during the peak hours of the day. These relatively young athletes could represent a group with alterable habits.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the level of sunscreen use in college athletes who are at high risk for ultraviolet radiation exposure.

METHODS

An anonymous survey was administered to NCAA soccer and cross-country teams at 4 universities. Answers were analyzed for proportions of sunscreen use and associations among various host variables.

RESULTS

Of the surveyed athletes, 85% reported no sunscreen use in the previous 7 days and only 6% reported sunscreen use at least 3 of the previous 7 days.

LIMITATIONS: The subject population is limited to one geographic area and includes athletes from only two sports.

CONCLUSIONS

These results identify a need for improved primary prevention of ultraviolet damage among the more than 250,000 NCAA athletes participating in outdoor sports. A preventive program involving education, provision of readily available sunscreen, and coach participation is needed to target these individuals.