It’s wonderful for children to enjoy outdoor activities. But having fun outside also means greater exposure to the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Research from the Skin Cancer Foundation indicates the risk of developing skin cancer, including potentially deadly melanoma, doubles with a history of five or more sunburns in a lifetime. Especially for youth athletes who play an outdoor sport, sun exposure risks can be magnified. Fortunately, plenty of protective measures are available that enhance safety.

With a group of colleagues, I co-authored a study published in 2019 titled, Effects of Gender, Age, Sport, and Geographic Location on Sun Protective Behavior in Youth Athletes. The study, which involved a survey of more than 600 youth athletes from California, Colorado and Hawaii, provided findings that can help healthcare professionals, coaches, parents and the athletes themselves to prevent sun damage. Some of the key points:

Gender—Female youth athletes tended to use sunscreen more frequently than young male athletes.

Age—Consistent use of sunscreen during outdoor practices and games tended to decrease with age—especially among adolescents, even though coaches mentioned wearing sunscreen more often to this age group.

Sport—Regardless of the type of sport played, sunscreen use was higher during practice than during games. Track and field coaches were more likely to mention sunscreen use than their counterparts in other sports such as soccer, football, swimming and baseball. Additionally, sunscreen use was relatively high during games for youth soccer players and lowest among youth football players.

Geographic Location—Youth athletes in Colorado received more education, and used sunscreen more frequently, than athletes from California or from Hawaii, which reported the lowest sunscreen use.

The study results can help researchers and clinicians identify groups who may experience high sun exposure and therefore face a significant risk of skin cancer later in life. But we must do everything we can to help protect all of our young people from the damaging effects of the sun.
 

When it comes to kids and sun safety habits, it’s essential to start early and to model the behaviors we want them to embrace throughout their lives. It’s also crucial to remember sun safety involves more than just using sunscreen. Some further important sun safety points:

• Coaches can help reduce their athletes’ exposure to the most intense UV rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. by scheduling their practices for earlier or later in the day. This can also help reduce the risk of heat illness and dehydration, which can increase during the summer months.
• Seek shade during breaks and when otherwise not actively engaged in playing or practicing.
• Hats and sunglasses are extremely helpful but may not be feasible for every athlete, depending on the sport. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that include UV protection are an option for many young athletes. Covering the skin from the sun’s rays while still being able to comfortably play a sport can be a great way to enhance sun protection.
• When choosing sunscreen, especially for adolescents—select one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher that can be easily applied. Stick-based sunscreens that are translucent when used can work well for those children who need to apply their sunscreen at repeated intervals throughout the day.
• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the ears, the hollows below the eyes, and any parts in the hair on top of the head where the scalp is exposed.
• The lips burn too! Make sure your athlete uses an SPF-protective (at least 30) lip balm.

An active childhood sets the stage for an active life, and getting outside—whether engaged in sport or free play—is critical to childhood development. With proper sun protection, all kids can go outside and enjoy the sunny side of life—safer from sunburn!

Read: How To Avoid Injuries in Youth Baseball