Surfing Proficiency Levels and Frequency of Upper Extremity Injuries

Abstract

The rapid global growth of surfing has been accompanied with multiple factors associated with risk of injury, yet local studies remain limited in examining occurrence and impact of upper extremity injuries among surfers. This quantitative descriptive-correlational study examined whether surfing proficiency is associated with upper extremity injury frequency among surfers in San Juan, La Union, using a structured survey questionnaire and Spearman’s rank-order correlation for analysis. The results showed that respondents were generally competent surfers, with an overall proficiency grand mean of 3.06, while upper extremity injuries occurred rarely in terms of both type and severity, with grand means of 2.00 and 1.94 respectively; rotator cuff strain was the most commonly reported injury. Statistical testing found no significant relationship between surfing proficiency and either the type or impact of upper extremity injuries, so the null hypothesis was accepted. In conclusion, the study suggests that skill level alone does not explain injury occurrence, and that other factors such as surfing conditions, training frequency, physical conditioning, and equipment use may play a larger role.