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Int J Sports Med 2021; 42(14): 1297-1304
DOI: 10.1055/a-1446-9828
Training and Testing

Skin Diseases in Elite Athletes

Christoph Liebich 
1   Dermatologie im Zentrum, Dermazent, Munich, Germany
,
V. Vanessa Wegin
2   Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Christine Marquart
1   Dermatologie im Zentrum, Dermazent, Munich, Germany
,
Irene Schubert
1   Dermatologie im Zentrum, Dermazent, Munich, Germany
,
Marie-Luise von Bruehl
1   Dermatologie im Zentrum, Dermazent, Munich, Germany
,
Martin Halle
3   Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, Centre for Sports Cardiology/EAPC, Medical Faculty, University hospital "Klinikum rechts der Isar", Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Renate Oberhoffer
4   Department of Preventive Pediatrics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Bernd Wolfarth
5   Department of Sport Medicine Humboldt University and Charité University School of Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract

An athlete’s skin has to cope with various stressors that influence skin integrity. This study investigated the effect of intense sporting activity at a competitive level on skin health, independent of the type of sport. The prevalence of dermatoses in elite athletes who exercise 8 or more hours per week was compared to recreational athletes. By applying a questionnaire, we acquired data from n=492 recruited athletes and recreational athletes regarding the prevalence of dermatoses, the extent of physical activity, and sports discipline practiced. Compared to the reference group, elite athletes showed less inflammatory, traumatic, infectious, and sebaceous skin diseases and especially neurodermitis, pruritus, bullae, tinea pedis, acne, and herpes were less common. Women suffered from skin diseases more often than men. With advanced age, the incidence of dermatoses increased, but less so among elite athletes. The discipline practiced and the duration of training, especially when performed outdoors, strongly influenced the development of dermatoses. Even though the skin of athletes is exposed to higher stress levels and physical strain, we can state that intensive physical activity seems to act as a protecting factor against skin diseases and significantly promotes skin health.

Key words

sports dermatology - professional athletes - high-performance athletes - dermatoses - competitive athletes

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 28 July 2020

Accepted: 08 March 2021

Article published online:
11 May 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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