Factors Affecting Cardiovascular Risk Awareness for Extreme Sports: Rafting Case

Abstract

Purpose: It is important to be aware of cardiovascular risk awareness in rafters to prevent sudden deaths. For this reason, this study aims to determine the factors affecting the cardiovascular risk awareness of rafters participating in rafting activities, which is considered an extreme sport.

Material and methods: The sample of the study consists of 1323 (n=651 female and n=672 male) volunteer rafters between the ages of 18 and 70 (31±10.43), who participated in rafting activities in Antalya Köprülü Canyon in June, July, and August 2023. The Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL) Scale was used to measure the cardiovascular risk awareness of rafters.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the data differed by a small effect size (eta squared) significantly based on the variables of whether the rafters themselves (η²=0.0237) or a family member had a chronic disease (η²=0.0147), smoking (η²=0.0072), following healthy diet recommendations (η²=0.0283), and regularly doing exercises (η²=0.0087) (p<0.05).

Conclusions: In accordance with the findings derived in the study, it was concluded that the above-mentioned variables affect cardiovascular risk awareness. Therefore, rafters can be protected from sudden deaths caused by cardiovascular issues by not smoking, following a healthy diet, and exercising.