Stand up Paddle Surfing-An Aerobic Workout and Balance Training

AbstractOriginating from an ancient Hawaiian tradition Stand Up Paddle Surfing (SUP) is a growing pastime and sports activity in which a person stands upright on a surfboard and propels it using a single paddle. During paddling the board constantly is in an unstable condition forcing paddlers to focus on keeping balance and simultaneously propelling the board by paddling. Therefore it is expected that SUP can be a high impact aerobic workout and balance training. A total of 68 subjects performed on-water and SUP ergometer trials, during ergometer trials heart rate (HR) was permanently measured and balance was assessed before and after all trials (ergometer and on-water) using a single leg hop test on a Win Pod electronic baropedometric platform. Results of the balance tests - though for a relatively small number of participants - showed that after ergometer trials a significant improvement in stability occurred whereas it was only significant for the right foot's anteroposterior movement after on-water trials. The result of the exercise-test illustrated that the HR of beginners stays in the aerobic zone which makes SUP suitable for endurance training