SURFING’S SWELL FOR BONES

MEN looking to improve their bone density should get out for a surf, new research reveals.

Bond University PhD graduate and teaching fellow Vini Simas said pressure placed on the body through surfing has potential to improve bone density and strength for men aged between 50 and 75.

“We already know that surfing has a broad range of physiological, cardiovascular and muscle health benefits, as well as improving coordination and balance, and now we have evidence suggesting it is potentially good for bones as well,” Mr Simas said.

Mr Simas’ study involved 104 participants — all men aged between 50 and 75 years.

Of those, 45 were placed in a control group and the other 59 were all regular surfers, defined as having been surfers for the past 15 years and currently surfing at least twice a week.

Mr Simas said his study assessed at-risk areas of the body such as the lumbar spine and the femoral neck of the femur.

All the participants in the study underwent a scan at Bond University’s water-based research unit where their body composition including lean mass, fat mass and bones were measured. Mr Simas then compared the results to reach his conclusions.

“It was something I was expecting. I am a surfer, and I know the physiological demands, and the requirements for you to actually surf. I was expecting it to be good, but the results were better than I was expecting,” Mr Simas said.

He said further studies were needed to gain a greater understanding of the physical demands surfers were exposed to, and to look at how much surfing was needed to improve bone health, including how many times a week people should surf, and for how long each session.

Bond University teaching fellow and former professional surfer Craig Sims said he was surprised by Mr Simas’s findings. Mr Sims said he was unaware of the benefits surfing could have on bone health.