1 June 2026
Sand is the safest surface, but injuries happen
The first scientific study ever conducted directly at a World Beach Ultimate Championship has produced the most comprehensive injury picture of our sport to date. 484 athletes from 38 countries took part in the research at WBUC 2025 in Portimão, Portugal (ages 18–64, 56.8% male). How common are injuries? Over a lifetime of playing, 80.8% of athletes experienced at least one injury — 1,685 total. In the 12 months before the championship, 43.6% sustained at least one. The injury rate was 0.67 per 1,000 hours of training. What gets hurt most? Ankle — 17.7% of all injuries Knee — 15.4% Lower leg — 13.7% Thigh — 11.7% Low back — 9.4% Most common types: muscle strains (18.9%), sprains (13.4%), tendinopathy (10.9%). How injuries happen Repetitive movements — 22% (top cause) Rapid changes of direction — 16% Sprinting — 15% Collision with another player — 12.6% Landing — 9.5% Who is most at risk? The only statistically significant risk factor: players with 11+ years of experience had 84% higher odds of injury (OR = 1.84, p = 0.009). More experience means more cumulative load on the same body parts. The mean experience among participants was 13 years. Playing position made no difference. O-line Cutters, O-line Handlers, D-line Cutters and D-line Handlers all showed similar injury rates. Sand is the safest surface Athletes who trained primarily on sand showed lower injury odds than those on natural grass, artificial grass, or indoors. Sand reduces peak impact forces and cushions joints — a genuine advantage of beach ultimate over grass versions of the sport. Key takeaways for beach players Load management — especially for players with 10+ years, where cumulative overuse drives risk Neuromuscular training — stability for landing and cutting Change-of-direction technique — 2nd most common mechanism, and the most trainable one Source: Minghelli B. et al., Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23, 616.
