Aerobic Fitness Markers Associated with Post-Paddling Breath-hold Capacity in Competitive Surfers

Competitive surfing is a growing sport with evolving performance and safety demands. One particular challenge surfers face is the need to endure long breath-holds following bouts of surf paddling. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between aerobic fitness markers, such as VO(2peak) and ventilatory thresholds, and post-paddling breath-hold capacity in competitive surfers. Eleven male collegiate level competitive surfers completed both a maximal graded exercise test and a simulated post-paddling breath-hold challenge on a modified paddling ergometer. Associations between markers of aerobic fitness and post-paddling breath-hold capacity were tested using linear regression modeling. The overall regression model indicated a positive linear association between the assessed markers of aerobic fitness and post-paddling breath-hold capacity (r = .828, r(2) = 0.686, p = 0.035). This association was explained by differences in VO(2peak) (β = 0.975, p = .034). These findings suggest that VO(2peak) may be an important training target for programs aimed at improving breath-hold capacity in surfers.