Sun exposure and photoprotection: Habits, knowledge, and attitudes among elite beach soccer players

Beach soccer players are exposed to prolonged ultraviolet radiation (UVR) due to the outdoor nature of the sport, minimal clothing coverage, and frequent participation in coastal environments with highly reflective surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate sun exposure habits, photoprotection practices, attitudes, knowledge related to skin cancer prevention, and the prevalence of sunburn episodes among elite beach soccer players. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted during the European Beach Soccer Qualifying Championship held in October 2025. A total of 257 elite male players from 21 European countries completed a standardized questionnaire assessing UVR exposure, photoprotection behaviors, sun-related attitudes, knowledge, and skin surveillance practices. Overall, 76% of athletes reported at least one sunburn during the previous sports season, and 35% experienced three or more episodes. Although 84% reported regular sunscreen use and 93% used products with a sun protection factor (SPF) ≥30, only 31% reported reapplying sunscreen every 2 h as recommended. Positive attitudes toward tanning remained common, while the overall knowledge score regarding skin cancer prevention was moderate (6.7 ± 1.6 points out of 10). In addition, 72% of players did not regularly perform skin self-examinations. These findings indicate that elite beach soccer players represent a high-risk population for UVR-related skin damage and highlight the need for targeted photoprotection and skin cancer prevention strategies.