A study on the awareness of the effects of ultraviolet radiation and methods of sun protection among cyclists
Katarzyna Gulinska, Radoslaw Spiewak
Recommended citation format: Gulinska K, Spiewak R: A study on the awareness of the effects of ultraviolet radiation and methods of sun protection among cyclists. Estetol Med Kosmetol 2020; 10: 004.en
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.14320/EMK.2020.004.en
Cycling has many health and longevity benefits. Cyclists are exposed to frequent and prolonged to UV radiation when spending time actively outdoors.
The aim of the study was to investigate the level of awareness of the dangers of ultraviolet radiation among cyclists. The study was also aimed at checking the state of knowledge about diseases and complications related to UV radiation and methods of protection by cyclists against solar radiation.
Materials and methods: The study consisted of an anonymous, online survey of 26 questions on awareness of the effects of ultraviolet radiation and sun protection among cyclists. The responses of the respondents were analyzed quantitatively in Microsoft Excel and statistically using the Chi2 test and the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: 147 people participated in the study.The group least frequently using sunscreen was men (35% never or almost never uses; 43.5% uses more than not) and people with phototype 3 and 4 (29% never or almost never uses; 44.2% more often does not use than uses). These two groups also use cosmetics with a lower SPF index (men: median SPF = 20; phototype 3&4: median SPF = 15) compared to women and people with phototype 2 (women and phototype 2: median SPF = 30). 4.8% of the respondents declared the repeated application of the cream (women: 8.7%; men: 1.3%; phototype 2: 9.8%; phototype 3&4: 1.2%).The observed differences between the group of women and men were not statistically significant (p = 0.262), between the phototypes were statistically significant (p = 0.008). In the questions in which the respondents were to indicate how long, in their opinion, it is safe to stay in the sun, the women indicated shorter time intervals. The median response was 90 minutes in March, 20 minutes in July, and 60 minutes in September. The men indicated significantly longer time intervals, the median response was 180 minutes in March, 60 minutes in July, and 120 minutes in September. The differences were statistically significant (March: p = 0.001; July: p <0.001; September: p = 0.002). According to cyclists, the greatest benefit of sun exposure is the synthesis of vitamin D (women: 85.5%; men 70.5%; phototype 2: 78.7%; phototype 3&4: 76.7%) The differences were not statistically significant.On the other hand, among the most frequently mentioned harmful effects of radiation, the respondents indicated burns(women: 30.4%; men: 43.6%; phototype 2: 40.9%; phototype 3&4: 34.9%) and cancer (women: 30.4%; men: 34.6%; phototype 2: 27.8%; phototype 3&4: 36.0%). The negative effects of UV radiation reported by women differed significantly from those reported by men
(p = 0.021). The adverse effects of radiation indicated by people with phototype 2,
as well as 3 and 4 did not differ statistically significantly.
Conclusions: Cyclists know the positive and negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. According to all groups, the most positive effect of sun exposure is the synthesis of vitamin D. The greatest threat according to men and people with phototype 2 is sunburn, while for people with phototype 3 and 4 - cancer. For women, cancer and burns are equally dangerous.However despite being aware of the dangers of frequent exposure to sunlight,the respondents, regardless of sex and phototype, do not use adequate protection.Women are more sensible when it comes to assessing the time it is safe to spend in the sun without the use of filters at different times of the year.
Key words: ultraviolet radiation, solar radiation, effects of radiation, photoprotection, cyclists, cycling
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