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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Sex differences in skill, performance, and injury in surfing: A scoping review
Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.First online
09/03/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Surfing is increasing in popularity with rising professionalism in the sport. While sex-specific differences in skill, physical performance, and injury profiles are recognised across various sports,their presence in surfing remains unclear. This review collates the available evidence on sex-specific skill, physical performance, and injury profiles in surfers, to explore any evidence gapsand to recommend focus areas for future research. Five databases (Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHLComplete, SPORTDiscus, and MEDLINE Complete) were searched from inception toNovember 2025. Studies that investigated surfing skill, physical performance or injury profiles inboth male and female participants were included. Of 4729 studies identified, 50 met the inclusioncriteria. These included 10 studies on surfing skills, 17 on physical performance, and 32 on injuryprofiles. Studies included outcome measures with sex-specific comparisons for skill (70%), physicalperformance (64%) and injury (19%). Overall, sex comparisons were made consistently in five (14%)outcome measures across all study concepts. Limited research on sex-specific injury profiles restricts the development of injury prevention strategies for female surfers. As the literature evolves in surfing, researchers should maximise the value of their data by reporting on sex-specific differences, appropriately normalising values (where necessary) and utilising consistent testing approaches
Details
- Title
- Sex differences in skill, performance, and injury in surfing: A scoping review
- Creators
- John Melville - Australian Catholic UniversityJames R Forsyth - University of WollongongRoss Paikin - Australian Catholic UniversityMaria Constantinou - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Identifiers
- 991013357513102368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Allied Health and Midwifery; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article