Padel World Press - Summer comes and the sun protection becomes another of the fundamental padel accessories in your outdoor games. Do not forget to include it in your paletero!
The relevance of sheltering from the sun on the paddle tennis court
During an outdoor paddle tennis match, it is common to have the company of the sun, and more so in these coming months. Although his presence may be pleasant, It is essential to take into account certain aspects to safeguard our health. Sun exposure for an hour or more, which usually lasts for a game, is a factor that must be prevented. In this article, prepared by Dr. Francisco García exclusively for Adidas Padel, you will discover the necessary measures to do it.
Solar protection
The constant presence of ultraviolet radiation in the sun's rays is an undeniable factor. In many cases, may exceed normal levels, either due to the current season of the year or to the geographical location where we are. For this reason, it is imperative that we adapt to each specific situation.
When we are faced with conditions of high solar intensity, it is essential to avoid, as much as possible, exposure during the central hours of the day, between 12:00 and 16:00. During this time slot, UVA/UVB radiation can be extremely harmful to our skin and health in general.
In the sports field, the use of sunscreens has become increasingly widespread and necessary. It is essential to protect all areas of our body that are exposed, just like we would do when we are about to enjoy a day at the beach. It should be noted that a paddle tennis match has an estimated duration of around an hour and a half, and sometimes tournaments may require even longer sun exposure.
Photoprotectors
Within the category of sunscreens, we can distinguish two main types: the chemists and the physicists.
Chemical photoprotectors act by absorbing solar radiation and converting it into a small amount of heat, thus minimizing its impact on the skin. However, its effect is not immediate and it takes a few minutes to take effect after its application. In addition, some of its components can be partially absorbed through the skin, which makes them less recommended for people with allergic or inflamed skin.
On the other hand, physical sunscreens work by reflecting solar radiation, acting as a shield that prevents it from reaching the skin. Their action is immediate and they have a lower rate of absorption by the skin, which makes them less irritating.
On the market there are various products with different textures, such as lotions, creams or sprays. However, It is important to remember that these products have an estimated expiration date and do not last indefinitely..
Current recommendations indicate applying photoprotectors on the face, arms and legs, approximately ten minutes after sun exposure, especially in cases of vitamin D deficiency. It is important to note that the sun can be beneficial in conditions such as osteoporosis or psoriasis.
On the labeling of these products, a number known as Sun Protection Factor (SPF). This figure is calculated based on the time that the product protects against sunburn. There is a simple rule to choose the right SPF (15-30-50): indicates the number of minutes you should consider to reapply the product. For example, if you use SPF 50, that means you should reapply every 50 minutes to maintain optimal protection. It is important to keep in mind that SPF 15 and SPF 50 have a similar photoprotective power (with a variation of 3 to 5%), but the difference lies in the duration of their protection.
Today, New technologies in textile materials help us to protect ourselves more effectively against the sun. When playing paddle tennis in the sun, the use of caps or visors is recommended to protect the head and eyes. In addition, specialized glasses for this sport will protect us from both solar radiation and possible ball impacts.
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