Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece

Background/Objectives: Fungal infections, commonly referred to as mycoses, are widespread and affect various parts of the body. Common types of fungal skin infections include tinea pedis, tinea unguim, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, and tinea manuum. Athletes, in particular, are at a higher risk of...

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Main Authors: Niki Tertipi, Eleni Sfyri, Vasiliki Kefala, Efstathios Rallis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Hygiene
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/34
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author Niki Tertipi
Eleni Sfyri
Vasiliki Kefala
Efstathios Rallis
author_facet Niki Tertipi
Eleni Sfyri
Vasiliki Kefala
Efstathios Rallis
author_sort Niki Tertipi
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: Fungal infections, commonly referred to as mycoses, are widespread and affect various parts of the body. Common types of fungal skin infections include tinea pedis, tinea unguim, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, and tinea manuum. Athletes, in particular, are at a higher risk of contracting these infections due to several factors inherent to their training and competitive environments. Methods: This research examined the incidence, anatomical distribution, and seasonal occurrence of fungal skin infections among beach volleyball athletes in Greece. The study cohort consisted of 785 participants, with an average age of 28.4 years. Variables recorded included gender, the seasonal periods during which athletes might be more prone to injuries, and the specific body areas affected by fungal infections. In addition, training-related data such as weekly training frequency, and daily training duration were collected. Results: Incidence rates correlated in relation to gender: male, tinea pedis (<i>p</i> < 0.000), tinea manuum (<i>p</i> < 0.010); number of weekly trainings: tinea pedis (<i>p</i> < 0.000), tinea unguium (<i>p</i> < 0.043), tinea cruris (<i>p</i> < 0.008), tinea versicolor (<i>p</i> < 0.038), tinea manuum (<i>p</i> < 0.043); average hours of daily training: tinea unguium (<i>p</i> < 0.039), tinea manuum (<i>p</i> < 0.039). Conclusions: Athletic activities often involve exposure to warm, moist conditions that promote fungal growth. Locker rooms, showers, and equipment can harbor fungi, spreading infections among athletes. Understanding these infections is essential for effective prevention and management, as they can impact performance and health if untreated. Proper hygiene, antifungal treatments, and public health measures are crucial to reducing the risk in athletic settings.
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spelling doaj-art-89514d6a3f0f4ea9ac38f081149f25f62024-12-27T14:29:50ZengMDPI AGHygiene2673-947X2024-10-014445846810.3390/hygiene4040034Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in GreeceNiki Tertipi0Eleni Sfyri1Vasiliki Kefala2Efstathios Rallis3Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of West Attica, GR-12243 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of West Attica, GR-12243 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of West Attica, GR-12243 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of West Attica, GR-12243 Athens, GreeceBackground/Objectives: Fungal infections, commonly referred to as mycoses, are widespread and affect various parts of the body. Common types of fungal skin infections include tinea pedis, tinea unguim, tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, and tinea manuum. Athletes, in particular, are at a higher risk of contracting these infections due to several factors inherent to their training and competitive environments. Methods: This research examined the incidence, anatomical distribution, and seasonal occurrence of fungal skin infections among beach volleyball athletes in Greece. The study cohort consisted of 785 participants, with an average age of 28.4 years. Variables recorded included gender, the seasonal periods during which athletes might be more prone to injuries, and the specific body areas affected by fungal infections. In addition, training-related data such as weekly training frequency, and daily training duration were collected. Results: Incidence rates correlated in relation to gender: male, tinea pedis (<i>p</i> < 0.000), tinea manuum (<i>p</i> < 0.010); number of weekly trainings: tinea pedis (<i>p</i> < 0.000), tinea unguium (<i>p</i> < 0.043), tinea cruris (<i>p</i> < 0.008), tinea versicolor (<i>p</i> < 0.038), tinea manuum (<i>p</i> < 0.043); average hours of daily training: tinea unguium (<i>p</i> < 0.039), tinea manuum (<i>p</i> < 0.039). Conclusions: Athletic activities often involve exposure to warm, moist conditions that promote fungal growth. Locker rooms, showers, and equipment can harbor fungi, spreading infections among athletes. Understanding these infections is essential for effective prevention and management, as they can impact performance and health if untreated. Proper hygiene, antifungal treatments, and public health measures are crucial to reducing the risk in athletic settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/34fungal skin infectionsbeach volleyball athletesepidemiology
spellingShingle Niki Tertipi
Eleni Sfyri
Vasiliki Kefala
Efstathios Rallis
Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
Hygiene
fungal skin infections
beach volleyball athletes
epidemiology
title Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
title_full Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
title_fullStr Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
title_full_unstemmed Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
title_short Fungal Skin Infections in Beach Volleyball Athletes in Greece
title_sort fungal skin infections in beach volleyball athletes in greece
topic fungal skin infections
beach volleyball athletes
epidemiology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/34
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AT vasilikikefala fungalskininfectionsinbeachvolleyballathletesingreece
AT efstathiosrallis fungalskininfectionsinbeachvolleyballathletesingreece