Which athletes are most likely to get sunburned during the Olympic Games?

The researchers calculated the athletes’ UV exposure according to the albedo of their sport, the season, the duration of the event, their clothing or even the surface. Verdict: Women’s tennis players are most vulnerable to severe sunlight.

The temperature in Tokyo at the moment and in the middle of the day is over 35 °C, L’ index UV Level 9 is higher. In addition to the risk of discomfort related to Warmth (Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa had to leave the court after a sunstroke, for example), some athletes are particularly exposed. Sunburn. A team of Australian researchers calculated asultraviolet exposure participants in Olympic Games At least 144 events in Tokyo’s 20 outdoor sporting disciplines during the competition Air Thus the investigation was done.

The researchers considered several factors, including: Duration spent outside, the location of the event (sailing events are taking place in Enoshima for example, 47 kilometers south-west of the Olympic Stadium),albedo The surface (water reflects the sun more than the lawn), the scheduled time of the event, or the proportion of the athlete’s body covered by clothing (calculated by viewing video images of the Olympic Games competitions Rio 2016).

Tennis, golf and cycling are the most dangerous events

Result: The most damaging event is women’s singles tennis, with a total performance of 1,680 J/m. Is2 followed by men’s golf (1.530 J/m .)2) and men’s road cycling (941 J / m.)2) « Of all outdoor sports, tennis, golf, cycling, volleyball and field hockey have the greatest potential for individual performance., explain the authors of the study published in the journal Temperature. This is due to two main factors: the length of the event and the exhibition schedule. Day. For Tennis Player The risks are remarkably high given the likelihood of a player competing in the Olympics, for example, all singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. », they add. Women are at higher risk because men are more inclined to wear hats and T-shirts with more coverage. Even then golfer Well dressed, the very long duration of the tests (more than four hours for each round) makes them vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation.

beach volleyball and bikini

Researchers also point fingers at beach volleyball” because of the surfaces of sable highly reflective and light clothing worn by players (especially women playing in bikinis). The risks associated with football, hockey or baseball, which involve a large number of events, although are reduced by a less exposed sporting program. ” this is especially the case football The men’s and women’s are largely scheduled in the evening or night, making this tournament the lowest performance of any team in the game. », note the authors.

Use of Sunscreen during the Olympic Games

This idealization upstream (keeping in view the expected meteorological conditions on Weather) does not fully reflect reality. ” We did not take into account any security provided by sun screen, also recognize the researchers. Therefore a more thorough analysis of competitors’ behavior regarding sunscreen use could substantially limit their exposure, particularly during events with high UV exposure potential. “. However, they indicate that heavy sweating of athletes is likely to cause the cream to drip off and reduce its effect.

In 2019, World Athletics Championships Qatar had culminated in a real carnage among athletes, who grappled with uneasiness amidst the suffocating heat of the stadiums (42 °C and over 72% humidity) and air conditioner Extreme Hotel. However, there have never been any long-term studies on the incidence of skin cancer among Olympic athletes.

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