Are you a keen surfer? Get a free health check up at Bond.

Bond University has a dedicated Water-Base Research Unit as part of their medical faculty and they are currently offering free health check ups to long-term surfers. Data from the health checks will assist the Bond University team with a current research project into whether surfing long term causes bone density deterioration, potentially leading to osteoporosis.

What they already know is that a surfer only spends an average of 2 to 8 percent of a surfing session actually standing on their board, the rest of the time they are out in the surf, they are in a weight support environment – such as paddling or sitting on the board. It is this weight bearing component of a typical surfing session which raises concerns about a potential decrease in bone density.

So the call has been put out to Gold Coast surfers to take part in the study and gain an insight into their health and whether long-term surfing has had an impact. Decreased bone density can lead to an increased risk of fractures and can result in osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Dr Vini Simas (MD) of Bond University’s Water-Based Research Unit is leading the investigating and is specifically looking for surfers aged between 50 and 75 who have been surfing for the past 15 years to join the study.

“Age-related bone deterioration is a major health problem concerning mature-aged men and is a principle concern for clinicians,” he said.

“Right now, the bone health of surfers is unclear so we want to study this cohort to determine if they are more susceptible to the premature development of osteoporosis.

“The outcomes of the investigation into the long-term effects of surfing on bone health will determine whether preventative measures and recommendations are needed to reduce the risk of bone deterioration.”

Dr Simas said previous analysis of recreational surfers, which found that only a fraction of a surfing session was spent actually standing on a surfboard, indicated that this gives bones little stimulus for developing.

“Surfers spend an average of only three minutes in every hour actually surfing a wave, while the rest of their session is spent in a weight supported environment, for example, paddling or sitting on the board,” he said.

“This suggests that those participating in this aquatic activity may have an imbalance between bone reabsorption and bone production activity, which can present the risk of premature osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures.”

The study will be a simple and non-invasive process for participants that includes a brief survey regarding their physical activity and current calcium intake, and a standard diagnostic test – a Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan – which will provide an accurate assessment of bone health and body composition.

Dr Simas is also calling for surfers to be involved in a second research project that investigates exostoses, commonly known as ‘surfer’s ear’.

The study requires males and females over the age of 18 with at least five years surfing experience who surf a minimum of five sessions a month, 12 months a year.

Dr Simas said surfer’s ear is the development of abnormal bony growths in the external ear canal as a result of being exposed to cold water and wind.

He said it is a painful and problematic condition that could cause balance problems, hearing loss and chronic ear infections.

“If left undetected and untreated, severe cases of surfer’s ear can require surgery, which involves going under the skin and drilling into the bone,” he said.

“Fortunately, early detection and intervention is key to stopping these issues developing and this is ultimately what we hope to achieve through our research.”

Dr Simas said simple measures like keeping your ear canal warm and dry with ear plugs could potentially halt the progress of surfer’s ear, but most surfers don’t realise they have the condition.

“According to a Victorian study, 87 per cent of male surfers and 69 per cent of female surfers have some degree of surfer’s ear,” he said.

“At the Quicksilver Pro Gold Coast last year, I assessed 10 top male and five top female surfers, where it was revealed every one of them suffered from surfer’s ear.

“We want to get as many participants involved as possible to raise awareness and investigate causes and preventative measures for the condition.”

The study will require participants to fill out a survey prior to commencement, followed by a standard otoscopic exam of the ear canal.