Document Type
Journal Article
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Exercise and Health Sciences
RAS ID
14965
Abstract
The present study examined the potential differences in anthropometric characteristics, upper-body strength, and sprint paddling performance between youth and senior competitive surfers. Twenty competitive male surfers (19.1±6.8 years, 168.2±11.3 cm, 61.7±13.6 kg) were assessed for stature, mass, arm-span, ∑ 7 site skinfold thickness, Lean-Mass Ratio (LMR, ∑ 7 site skinfold/kg body-mass), pronated pull-up 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) and sprint paddling performance from a stationary start to 15 m. Independent t-tests were used to compare potential differences between youth (n:10) and senior group (n:10) of competitive surfers, with Cohen’s Effect Size (d) applied to reflect the magnitude of any differences observed. Senior surfers were not different from youth surfers for ∑ 7 site skinfold thickness, yet had greater stature (p<0.001, d=2.7) and mass (p<0.001, d=2.8). Consequently, the composite lean mass ratio (body-mass/∑ 7 site skinfold thickness, LMR) was greater (p=0.001, d=1.7) in senior competitive surfers. The senior surfers were faster in the 0-15 m sprint paddle test (p<0.001, d=2.9), possessed higher peak paddling velocity (p<0.001, d=2.3) and had greater absolute 1 RM pull-up strength (p<0.001, d=2.8) and 1 RM pull-up strength relative to body-mass (1 RM pull-up mass/subjects body-mass) (p<0.001, d=2.2). The results of this study suggest that practitioners working with competitive surfers should consider the importance of sprint paddle performance in surfers, and the need to optimize lean mass and relative strength, as these factors appear to distinguish between surfers of higher and lower athletic development and competitive level in the surfing population.
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
Sheppard, J. M., Osborne, M., Chapman, D. W., & Andrews, M. (2012). Anthropometric characteristics, upper-body strength, and sprint paddling performance in competitive surfers. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 20(1), 5-10. Available here