Cross-sectional study on exercise-related skin complaints among sports students at two German universities

Karl Philipp Drewitz, Claudia Hasenpusch, Florian Kreuzpointner, Ansgar Schwirtz, Adolf Klenk, Christian J. Apfelbacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Sports activities can lead to exercise-related skin complaints. These include different symptoms (e.g. infections, mechanical injuries, contact dermatitis). Previous studies mostly focused only on skin infections and injuries in competitive athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and characteristics of exercise-related skin complaints among sports students and to what extent these complaints influence physical fitness. We performed a self-administered online survey among 259 actively exercising sports students from two German universities. Descriptive analyses were conducted. The most common complaints were blistering (57.3%), dryness (56.7%), redness (44.7%), and chafing (34.0%). Hands and feet (78.0% each) were most frequently affected. Participants whose skin was particularly stressed (47.5%) had higher training duration (7.6 h/week, 95%-CI 6.8–8.3 h) than those without complaints (5.1 h/week, 95%-CI 5.5–6.7 h, p = 0.003). The students reported reduced intensity (34.7%) and frequency (22.7%) of training due to their skin complaints. A reduction in performance was reported by 32.0% of the students. Actively exercising sports students considered an intact skin as essential for their physical fitness. Reported impairments of the skin led to a reduced intensity and frequency of training. To enhance the awareness of exercise-related skin complaints, further research is necessary.

Original languageEnglish
Article number11829
JournalScientific Reports
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Dermato-epidemiology
  • Exercising
  • Skin complaints
  • Sports dermatology

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