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Effectiveness of surfing on psychological health in military members: a systematic review
  1. Daniel González-Devesa1,
  2. María Vilanova-Pereira2,
  3. B Araújo-Solou3 and
  4. C Ayán-Pérez4,5
  1. 1Facultad de Humanidades y Educación, Universidad Católica de Ávila, Avila, Spain
  2. 2Facultad de Fisioterapia, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
  3. 3Rendimiento & Sport, Ferrol, Spain
  4. 4Well-Move Research Group, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), Vigo, Spain
  5. 5Departamento de Didácticas Especiáis, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
  1. Correspondence to Dr Daniel González-Devesa; danidevesa4{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction Surfing, a leisure activity known for its positive physical and mental health effects, has emerged as a potential therapeutic intervention. This study aims to systematically review the available evidence on the effects of surfing on mental health in active military personnel and veterans.

Methods Studies were searched across four electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus and Scopus) until May 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies and the Quality Assessment Tool for Before–After Studies with No Control Group scales.

Results A total of seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Depression and anxiety symptoms (n=7), positive affect (n=5) and pain (n=3) were the main outcomes analysed. Overall, the studies reviewed generally reported beneficial effects of surfing on depression, anxiety and positive affect. However, none of the four studies that examined pain as an outcome observed any positive effects of surfing.

Conclusion There is evidence indicating that surfing may positively influence the management of anxiety, depression and overall positive affect among military personnel. Nonetheless, it cannot be definitively concluded that surfing provides superior benefits compared with other forms of exercise.

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression & mood disorders
  • Military Personnel
  • THERAPEUTICS

Data availability statement

Data sharing not applicable as no datasets generated and/or analysed for this study.

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Data availability statement

Data sharing not applicable as no datasets generated and/or analysed for this study.

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Footnotes

  • Contributors Conceptualisation: DG-D, BAS and CAP; methodology: DG-D, BAS, MVP and CAP; software: DG-D and BAS; writing original draft preparation: DG-D, MVP and CAP; writing review and editing: DG-D and CAP; visualisation: DG-D, BAS and MVP; supervision: DG-D and CAP; project administration: DG-D and CAP. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. DG-D acted as guarantor.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

  • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.