Sun protection and sport: what every outdoor athlete should know

By Dr Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier, dermatologist

Outdoor sports expose the skin to significant doses of UV radiation, especially when exercise lasts a long time, takes place on the water, at altitude, or at times when the UV index is high.

To take stock of this still too often neglected topic, Ker Sun called on Dr Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier, dermatologist and member of the association "Dans la peau des sportifs". She explains the real risks of sun exposure during sport, the disciplines most affected, and the right habits to adopt.

Understanding exposure

Sport and sun: which athletes are most exposed?

Exercising outdoors is excellent for your health. But it also means repeatedly exposing your skin to the sun, sometimes for several hours. UV rays contribute to sunburn, accelerate skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer: 90% of skin cancers are linked to UV radiation.

Outdoor athletes are particularly concerned because they combine several risk factors: long sessions, training in the middle of the day, reflection from snow, sand or water, and often incomplete protection.

Risk factors

Why is the risk higher?

The danger does not only come from sunny weather. It mainly comes from the conditions in which sport is practised.

• Sessions often last a long time, sometimes when UV rays are at their most intense.
• Altitude increases UV intensity (+10% every 1,000 m), and some surfaces reflect part of the radiation back towards the skin, such as snow (60-90%) or water.
• Sweating can make the skin more sensitive and lead to sunburn more quickly (from just 15 minutes of jogging).
• Certain areas are often forgotten: ears, back of the neck, lips, hands and upper back.

High-risk disciplines

The sports most affected

Some disciplines combine risk factors especially strongly:

• Water sports : surfing, sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and open-water swimming; water reflects UV rays and sunscreen does not hold as well.
• Mountain sports : skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering and high-altitude trail running; altitude and snow greatly increase exposure.
• Endurance sports : running, marathon, triathlon, cycling and golf; these sports involve long exposure, often with clothing that provides little coverage.

Several studies also show that sunburn remains common among runners (fewer than 25% properly protected), surfers (more than 3 sunburns each year) and other outdoor athletes, even among those who already know the risks.

Good habits

The right protection

The best strategy is based on a combination of simple actions:

• Avoid the hours when the UV index is highest for training, often around midday. The WHO recommends protective measures from a UV index of 3, and advises seeking shade during the middle of the day, or even avoiding being outdoors at those times when the UV index is very high.
• Check the day's UV index on a weather or UV app to help choose a safer training time and adjust your level of protection.
• Wear covering, breathable clothing, ideally with UPF protection, to provide lasting protection for the most exposed areas.
• Complete your protection with a cap or hat and sunglasses.
• Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ UVA sunscreen to uncovered areas: face, ears, back of the neck, hands and legs, plus an SPF lip balm.

Our collections by sport

Find your UV-protective clothing for your sport

Women

Men