Upper body aerobic fitness comparison between two groups of competitive surfboard riders

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the upper-body aerobic fitness characteristics in 2 groups of competitive surfers with different performance levels. Thirteen male competitive surfers performed an incremental dry-land board paddling test to determine specific peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak power output (Wpeak) and the exercise intensity (\%VO2peak) that elicits a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol x L(-1) (LT4). As a measure of surfing performance, surfers were ranked according to their competitive season performance (RANK) and divided into 2 groups based on their performance level; European top-level competitive surfers (ELS) (n = 7) and regional level competitive surfers (RLS) (n = 6). ELS reached significantly higher values than RLS for Wpeak (154.71 +/- 36.82 W vs. 117.70 +/- 27.14 W: P = 0.04) and LT4 (95.18 +/- 3.42 \%VO2peak vs. 88.89 +/- 5.01 \%VO2peak; P = 0.02) but not VO2peak (3.34 +/- 0.31 L x min(-1) vs. 3.40 +/- 0.37 L x min(-1); P = 0.77). Spearman-rank order correlation analysis revealed that RANK was inversely correlated with Wpeak (r = -0.65, P = 0.01) and LT4 (r = -0.58, P = 0.03). These findings identify that better surfers have higher upper body aerobic fitness scores

Upper body aerobic fitness comparison between two groups of competitive surfboard riders

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the upper-body aerobic fitness characteristics in 2 groups of competitive surfers with different performance levels. Thirteen male competitive surfers performed an incremental dry-land board paddling test to determine specific peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak), peak power output (Wpeak) and the exercise intensity (%V̇O2peak) that elicits a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol·L−1 (LT4). As a measure of surfing performance, surfers were ranked according to their competitive season performance (RANK) and divided into 2 groups based on their performance level; European top-level competitive surfers (ELS) (n=7) and regional level competitive surfers (RLS) (n=6). ELS reached significantly higher values than RLS for Wpeak (154.71±36.82 W vs. 117.70±27.14 W; P=0.04) and LT4 (95.18±3.42 %V̇O2peak vs. 88.89±5.01 %V̇O2peak; P=0.02) but not V̇O2peak (3.34±0.31 L·min−1 vs. 3.40±0.37 L·min−1; P= 0.77). Spearman rank order correlation analysis revealed that RANK was inversely correlated with Wpeak (r= −0.65, P= 0.01) and LT4 (r= −0.58, P= 0.03). These findings identify that better surfers have higher upper body aerobic fitness scores