Differences in VO2peak of Surfers When Paddling in Water vs. on a Swimbench Ergometer

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2019-04, Vol.33 (4), p.1095
• Main Authors: Furr, Heather N, Warner, Mackenzie E, Copeland, Taylor L, Robles-Rodríguez, Cristina, Ponce-González, Jesús G, Nessler, Jeff A, Newcomer, Sean C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletes; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Ergonomics; Heart rate; Human mechanics; Muscle contraction; Oxygen consumption; Skin; Surfing; Swimming
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003072

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−1·min−1) vs. on the swimbench ergometer (29.86 ± 1.08 ml·kg−1·min−1) (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.