Summer’s Here – an ounce of protection is needed!

It is a well known fact that excessive exposure to ultra-violet radiation (UVR, also known as the sun!) significantly increases an individual’s risk for developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. So why do people still insist on sun worshipping and participating in outdoor activity without proper sun protection?

Despite piles of data tying UV exposure to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin and decreased immunity, studies show that athletes have abysmal rates of sunscreen use. Athletes tend to look after their muscles, lungs and cardiovascular system, but neglect their biggest organ – the skin.

So before you go outside to swim, play ball, cycle, run or whatever your sport of pleasure may be, be sure to be sun safe. There are lots of great products on the market specifically designed for the outdoor athlete:

• SPF clothing that is specifically designed to protect you from the sun.
• Cooling garments that reflect harmful UV rays
• Sunscreen protection specifically made for athletes that is water and sweat resistant

Remember if you can avoid prolonged outdoor activity between 10 am and 4pm when the sun is at its most damaging, then do, but if you can’t, then make sure you are protected. Wear a hat, sunglasses, spf lip balm and apply a minimum SPF 30 sweat resistant sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply regularly (every couple of hours). And be sure to put on enough sunscreen – it takes at least one fluid ounce of sunscreen to adequately protect the body.

Articles from SIRC on Sun Protection.
Australian primary schools' sun protection policy and practice: evaluating the impact of the National SunSmart Schools Program. Jones, Simeon B.W.; Beckmann, Kerri; Rayner, Joanne, Health Promotion Journal of Australia Aug2008, Vol. 19 Issue 2, p86

Predicting parental sunscreen use: Disentangling the role of action planning in the intention-behavior relationship. Van Osch, Liesbeth; Reubsaet, Astrid; Lechner, Lilian; Candel, Math; Mercken, Liesbeth; De Vries, Hein, Psychology & Health Oct2008, Vol. 23 Issue 7, p829

Protect your Skin. McCullough, Mike, NCGA Golf Winter2009, Vol. 29 Issue 1, p66

Testing an extended theory of planned behaviour to predict young people's sun safety in a high risk area. White, Katherine M.; Robinson, Natalie G.; Young, Ross McD.; Anderson, Peter J.; Hyde, Melissa K.; Greenbank, Susan; Rolfe, Toni; Keane, Julie; Vardon, Paul; Baskerville, Debra, British Journal of Health Psychology Sep2008, Vol. 13 Issue 3, p435

YOUR SKIN FITNESS. Hendrickson, Chad S., Triathlon Life Spring2009, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p43