Electromyographic Analysis of the Surf Paddling Stroke Across Multiple Intensities.

Nessler, JA, Ponce-Gonzalez, JG, Robles-Rodriguez, C, Furr, H, Warner, M, and Newcomer, SC. Electromyographic analysis of the surf paddling stroke across multiple intensities. J Strength Cond Res 33(4): 1102-1110, 2019-Surfers spend a majority of their time in the water paddling. The purpose of this study was to examine activity in 5 muscles that contribute to paddling at different velocities and to characterize oxygen use, paddling cadence, and surfboard motion at each velocity. Twelve recreational surfers completed an incremental paddling test on a short surfboard in a swim flume. Surface electromyography was recorded bilaterally from latissimus dorsi, upper and mid trapezius, and posterior and mid deltoid. Electromyographic activity increased as water velocity increased for all muscles, but the change in activation between endurance and sprint paddling was greatest for latissimus dorsi (p < 0.001). At higher water velocities, the middle deltoid was activated earlier in the paddling stroke (p = 0.005). Oxygen use, paddling cadence, and surfboard roll/yaw increased with increasing water velocity. These data may be useful for athletes, trainers, and equipment designers interested in increasing power and efficiency of the paddling stroke.

Differences in V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak of Surfers When Paddling in Water vs. on a Swimbench Ergometer.

Furr, HN, Warner, ME, Copeland, TL, Robles-Rodríguez, C, Ponce-González, JG, Nessler, JA, and Newcomer, SC. Differences in V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak of surfers when paddling in water vs. on a swimbench ergometer. J Strength Cond Res 33(4): 1095-1101, 2019-The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that surfers would achieve a higher V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak when tested in a swim flume vs. on a swimbench ergometer. Forty-eight surfers (male: 38, female: 10) aged 18-45 years participated in the study. Protocol 1 and 2 both measured heart rate, oxygen consumption (V[Combining Dot Above]O2), and respiratory exchange ratio while subjects performed an incremental paddling test both on a swimbench ergometer and in a swim flume. Protocol 2 additionally measured muscle activity and changes in skin temperature. V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak was significantly higher in the swim flume (33.03 ± 1.04 ml·kg·min) vs. on the swimbench ergometer (29.86 ± 1.08 ml·kg·min) (p value < 0.001). There were also significant differences in muscle activation and changes in skin temperature between the flume and ergometer (p-value < 0.05). Surfers significantly increased their V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak in the water suggesting previous reports of V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak likely underestimated surfer's aerobic fitness when measured on a swimbench ergometer. Future research investigating the aerobic fitness of surfers should be conducted while paddling in water or account for the 11% difference in V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak when tested on a swimbench ergometer.