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. 2024 Oct 18;7(6):466–473. doi: 10.1016/j.smhs.2024.10.004

Effects of 8-weeks Surf Skateboard training on physical fitness in young people

Sangarun Kaewcham a, Wannaporn Tongtako a,b,⁎
PMCID: PMC12766291  PMID: 41496811

Abstract

Background

Surf skateboards have grown in popularity among young people in recent years. However, no research studies have analyzed the effect of surf skateboarding on physical fitness.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8-week surf skateboard training on physical fitness in young adults.

Methods

Twenty-two young people, ages 18–24 years were randomly assigned into two groups: a control (CON; n ​= ​11) and surf skateboarding (SSK; n ​= ​11) group. The surf skateboard training group received an eight-week intervention consisting of three 60-minute (min) sessions per week, while the control group continued with their normal daily lives. Physical fitness was assessed before and after the intervention through a battery of tests that included body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance.

Results

The results showed that the SSK group demonstrated significant (p ​< ​0.05) improvements in maximum voluntary ventilation, back and leg strength, lower body muscular endurance by the sit-to-stand tests, and balance in all direction compared with the pre-test and the CON group. In addition, the SSK group showed significantly (p ​< ​0.05) decreased body weight, body mass index, percent body fat, and resting heart rate, while increased maximum oxygen consumption, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, upper body muscular endurance by the sit-up test and flexibility compared with the pre-test.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that surf skateboard training have an effective physical activity intervention to improve body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance in young people.

Keywords: Exercise, Action sport, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Balance, Muscular strength and endurance

Abbreviation

BMI ​=

Body mass index

BP ​=

Blood pressure

CON ​=

Control group

FEV1 ​=

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 ​s

FVC ​=

Force Vital Capacity

HR ​=

Heart rate

HRR ​=

Heart Rate Reserve

MEP ​=

Maximum Expiratory Pressure

MIP ​=

Maximum Inspiratory Pressure

MVV ​=

Maximum Voluntary Ventilation

PAR-Q ​=

Pre-Exercise Readiness Questionnaire

RHR ​=

Resting heart rate

SSK ​=

Surf skateboarding

V̇O2peak ​=

Peak oxygen uptake

1. Introduction

Action sports, often known as extreme sports, are leisure activities that typically involve a higher inherent risk, need specialized equipment, and allow for more creativity than regular sports.1 These sports, such as skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, and surf skateboard, continue to captivate young people who are drawn to activities that involve risk and challenge. The rise of action sports in various countries has significantly influenced broader trends in youth sports participation.2 One of these extreme sports is surf skateboarding, also known as surfskating. This hybrid sport combines elements of skateboarding and surfing, allowing participants to experience the sensation of surfing on land. Surf skateboards feature wider trucks and larger, softer wheels than regular skateboards, enabling smoother turns and greater fluidity. In recent years, surf skateboarding has gained popularity among surfers, skateboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts.3 The player must maintain his or her balance on the plank and twist their hips to generate centrifugal force for steering. In addition to turning left-right, employ the weight-transfer technique on the feet. It has evolved into land surfing, requiring balance skills to demonstrate the style of play. As a result, it is an activity that is likely to improve physical fitness in individuals who participate.

Physical fitness refers to a collection of characteristics that individuals possess or attain, which enable them to engage in physical activities. It is marked by the capacity to carry out daily tasks energetically and the presence of traits and abilities linked to a reduced likelihood of developing diseases caused by physical inactivity (e.g., hypokinetic diseases).4 Engaging in physical activity plays a crucial role in enhancing various aspects of health-related physical fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.5,6 Current global exercise recommendations indicate 150–300 ​minutes (min) per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75–150 ​min per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity to achieve significant benefits in physical fitness and health.7 Because there is no research on surf skateboard. But based on reviews of similar activities such as skateboarding and surfing, may be classified as surf skateboard.

According to the exercise recommendation criteria, surf skateboard can be classified as an aerobic exercise that may have a good influence on physical fitness in adults.8,9 The previous study demonstrated that skateboarding can increase heart rate to the level that recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for improve cardiovascular and physical fitness.10 A study by Hetzler et al.9 examined the effects of 30 ​min of continuous skateboarding on energy expenditure and metabolism in skateboarders with at least one year of training. The study found that this activity level is 8.2 METs (Peak oxygen uptake [V̇O2peak] ​= ​28.6 ​ml⋅kg⋅min) and burns 308.6 kilocalories, recommending skateboarding as a suitable exercise for developing aerobic fitness and improving cardiovascular health. Similarly, Wiles et al.1 measured heart rates and exercise duration in adults aged 18–55 to see if skateboarding meets The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exercise guidelines. Among 45 participants with an average age of 27.4 years, the average heart rate was (138.2 ​± ​21.9) beats per minute (71.7 ​% of maximum heart rate), with a skateboarding duration of 65 ​min per day and a total distance of about 4.5 ​km, three days per week, aligning with CDC recommendations.

Moreover, Amtmann et al.11 compared resting and active heart rates in longboard skateboarders. After a 15-min rest, participants rode uphill for 2 miles, with heart rates recorded every half mile. The average resting heart rate was 59.9 beats/min, while uphill and downhill rates were 167.8 beats/min (81 ​% HRmax) and 131.4 beats/min (54 ​% HRmax), respectively. The study concluded that longboarding and skateboarding can elevate heart rates to levels recommended for cardiovascular fitness. In addition, Mendez-Villanueva & Bishop12 compiled research on surfing, highlighting that key fitness components include aerobic energy expenditure, muscular strength, endurance, coordination, and balance. As can be seen, skateboarding and surfing are both sports that promote physical fitness. Surf skateboard is a new action sport that combines skateboarding and surfing. It is a workout activity that is enjoyable for the players especially in young people.

To the best of our knowledge, no research studies have analyzed the effect of surf skateboard training on physical fitness such as body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8-week surf skateboard training on physical fitness in young adults.

2. Methods

Ethical approval

This study utilized a pre-test/post-test interventional randomized research design and was carried out in full accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.13 The study protocol was approved by the research ethics review committee for research involving humans at Chulalongkorn University (COA No. 111/65).

2.1. Participants

Twenty-two young people (8 males and 14 females) from Phetchaburi province, ages 18–24, with a body mass index ranging from 18.5 to 22.9 ​kg/m2, were recruited. Participants in the surf skateboard group must be equipped with a surf skateboard and personal protective equipment. This study excluded participants with less than one year of surf skateboard experience. Furthermore, all participants were classed as recreational skateboarders with no prior experience competing in professional surf skateboard contests. Subjects with known asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pulmonary tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases were excluded from this study. The subjects passed the Pre-Exercise Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) by answering "no" to all questions and were not to have participated in a regular exercise program for at least 6 months prior to the start of the study.

The sample size was calculated using the G∗Power program based on data from Secomb et al.14 The test power (β) was set at 0.95, with an acceptable error value (α) of 0.05 and an effect size (d) of 1.64, resulting in a required sample size of 11 participants. To account for potential dropouts, the sample size was increased to 13 participants per group, bringing the total sample size to 26 participants. The participants were randomly assigned by the investigators and stratified by gender and VO2peak into two groups (Fig. 1): CON (n ​= ​13) and SSK (n ​= ​13) groups. Four subjects dropped out of the study because of scheduling difficulties. Therefore, the CON and SSK groups each comprised 11 subjects (Male ​= ​4, Female ​= ​7).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

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CONSORT 2010 flow diagram of participant allocation, follow-up and analysis.

2.2. Protocol

The researchers recruited participants based on inclusion criteria through online advertisements and by publicizing through online media and contacting the Phetchaburi Province Surf Skateboard Club. All participants completed PAR-Q, medical, and activity history questionnaires via Google Forms prior to beginning the study. Once participants met the eligibility criteria, appointments were scheduled for testing and data collection. Prior to beginning the study, all participants provided written informed consent and received personalized instructions. Then, they participated in a 2-hour(h) orientation and testing session, which included training in physical fitness assessment. The SSK group received an additional hour of personalized instruction specifically for the surf skateboard training intervention. Both groups completed pre-tests, and post-tests were administered after eight weeks. During this period, the CON group continued their regular daily activities without participating in any training sessions.

Surf skateboard training: The SSK group underwent Surf skateboard aerobic training, each training session consists of a 10-min warm-up with stretching, followed by a surf skateboard training program at moderate intensity (40%–60 ​% Heart Rate Reserve; HRR) for 40 ​min and cool down for 10 ​min, doing surf skateboard training 3 days a week for a period of time of 8 weeks. From week 1 to week 4, 60 ​min of surf skateboard training at moderate intensity (40%–49​% HRR) were conducted. From week 5 to week 8, 60 ​min on a moderate intensity surf skateboard (50%–60 ​% HRR) were conducted. The surf skateboard training program shown in Table 1 includes pumping skill training, turning along the designated cone training, snap skill training, moving objects from one point to another, and aerial skill training. Throughout the training period, participants wore a heart rate monitor to track their exercise intensity.

Table 1.

The surf skateboard training program.

Activities Duration Training details
Week 1–4 (intensity 40%–49​% HRR)
1. Warm Up 10 ​min Stretching
2. Surf Skateboard Pumping skill training 10 ​min The participants rode a surf skateboard and maneuvered within the training area without dismounting from the board until the specified time elapsed (with no speed limit).
3. Turning along the designated cone training 10 ​min The participants practice maneuvering on the surf skateboard by executing zigzag turns around 10 cones. Upon reaching the tenth cone, they return to the starting point and continue practicing until the allocated time of 10 ​min has elapsed. (Each cone is spaced 1.25 ​m apart, resulting in a total distance of 12.5 ​m)
4. Snap pose training 5 ​min The participants squat down, twist their body, and open their shoulders in the desired direction. They swing their arms in that direction and push with the opposite leg. They spread their legs for momentum and direction change. Participants practiced this pose on a surf skateboard, performing it 20 or more times over a specified period.
5. Surf Skateboard game 10 ​min The participants practice on surf skateboards by moving 10 items from point 1 to point 2 (the distance from point 1 to point 2 is 12 ​m) and then moving 10 items from point 2 back to point 1. They continue practicing until the specified time is completed.
6. Aerial pose training 5 ​min Participants are asked to perform jumps on their skateboards, aiming to lift the board off the ground and achieve air time. (Men: perform 35 or more jumps; women: perform 30 or more jumps.)
7. Cool down 10 ​min Stretching
Week 5–8 (intensity 50%–60​% HRR)
1. Warm Up 10 ​min Stretching
2. Surf Skateboard Pumping skill training 10 ​min The participants rode a surf skateboard and maneuvered within the training area without dismounting from the board until the specified time elapsed. There is no speed limit, but participants must go faster than in the first 4 weeks, provided their heart rate is within the specified range.
3. Turning along the designated cone training 10 ​min The participants practice maneuvering on the surf skateboard by executing zigzag turns around 15 cones. Upon reaching the tenth cone, they return to the starting point and continue practicing until the allocated time of 10 ​min has elapsed. (Each cone is spaced 1.10 ​m apart, resulting in a total distance of 16.5 ​m)
4. Snap combined infinity loop pose training 5 ​min The participants practice the infinity loop, a specific maneuver where they ride in a continuous figure-eight pattern, resembling the infinity symbol (∞). They perform this maneuver 5 times, then alternate with 1 round of the snap pose, maintaining a five-to-one ratio until the allotted time is up.
5. Surf Skateboard game 10 ​min The participants practice on surf skateboards by moving 10 items from point 1 to point 2 (the distance from point 1 to point 2 is 12 ​m) and then moving 10 items from point 2 back to point 1. They continue practicing until the specified time is completed.
6. Aerial combined pumping pose training 5 ​min The participants practice surf skateboarding in aerial poses combined with pumping for a specified time.
7. Cool down 10 ​min Stretching
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Body composition: Body composition was subsequently measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (Omron HBF-375; Omron Healthcare Inc., USA). The test was carried out with the subjects standing on the machine with both hands on the machine's handle. Following that, they should extend their tight arms forward about 30°, parallel to the floor, and maintain a straight posture.

Peak oxygen uptake: A one-half mile run test was conducted in which the subjects spent as little time as possible. Calculate the maximum oxygen consumption from the equation “VO2max (ml.kg'.min') ​= ​88.02 - [0.1656 x BW] - [ 2.76 x time] ​+ ​[ 3.716 x Gender]”

Pulmonary function: The projected value and liters of FVC, FEV1 and MVV maneuver were examined with a computerized spirometer (SpirobankG) according to the American Thoracic Society pulmonary function test recommendations. Participants were invited to sit on a chair while wearing a nasal clip. Three cycles of slow normal breathing were performed before demonstrating forced inspiration and expiration and returning to normal breathing. For the MVV maneuver, participants were asked to inhale and exhale quickly and forcefully for 15 ​s(s).

Respiratory muscle strength: was assessed using a portable handheld mouth pressure meter (Micro RPM England). Participants began by exhaling until they felt no air left in their lungs, starting from the functional residual capacity (FRC) threshold, for the measurement of MIP. They then placed the instrument in their mouth and breathed for 1–2 ​s. For the measurement of MEP, participants began by inhaling until their lungs were completely filled with air, starting from the total lung capacity (TLC) point. They held the device in their lips for 1–2 ​s and then exhaled forcefully.

Muscular strength: The hand grip dynamometer (Takei, T.K.K. 5001, Japan) measured maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm. The subject squeezed the dynamometer with maximum effort for 5 ​s without any other body movement. The back and leg dynamometer (Takei, Digital 5402, Japan) measured back and leg muscles. For the leg strength test, the subject stood upright with feet shoulder-width apart, held the bar with both hands, and pulled the chain by straightening their legs without bending their back. For the back strength test, the subject stood with feet shoulder-width apart, grabbed the bar with a mixed grip, and pulled upwards while keeping the back straight and legs straight.

Muscular endurance: Upper and lower body muscular endurance were assessed using the sit-up and sit-to-stand tests. For the sit-up test, the individual began by sitting erect with knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and arms across their chest. They then lowered their back until the shoulder blades touched the floor and returned to an upright position, repeating for 30 ​s. The score was determined by the total number of accurate sit-ups completed in 30 ​s. In the sit-to-stand test, subjects sat in the middle of the chair with hands crossed on the opposite shoulder at the wrists, maintained a straight back, and kept their feet flat on the floor. On "go," they stood to their full height, then sat back down, repeating for 1 ​min.

Flexibility: The sit-and-reach test was carried out in accordance with the protocols described in the ACSM manual.15 The Sit and Reach Box was placed flat against a wall. After a standard warm-up involving stretching, the participant sat on the floor with legs extended forward, feet flat against the box, and shoes removed. They stretched forward as far as possible with palms, holding for 3 ​s, ensuring knees were fully extended.

Balance: The subject stood at the crossing point of the intersecting lines, both hands resting on the waist, straightening the other leg. They tapped in all three directions as far as they could. A light touch with the toes of the feet was applied and pulled back to the starting point. Then, the person stood in a double-leg stance, similar to a Y, initiated from the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.

2.3. Statistical analysis

The data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28 for Windows (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY). Firstly, the Shapiro-Wilk test was employed to assess the normality of the variable distribution. Pre- and post-test paired t-tests were then utilized to compare dependent variables within groups. Additionally, independent t-tests were conducted to analyze variables between the CON and SSK groups. Differences were considered significant at a threshold of p ​< ​0.05. The data were expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD).

3. Results

3.1. Physiological data and body composition

General characteristics and body composition are shown in Table 2. The SSK groups had significantly decreased body weight (p ​< ​0.001), BMI (p ​< ​0.001), percent body fat (p ​< ​0.001), and resting heart rate (p ​< ​0.001) compared with pre-test. While the CON group had significantly increased BMI (p ​= ​0.003), and percent body fat (p ​= ​0.002) compared with pre-test.

Table 2.

Physiological characteristic data.

Variables SSK group (n ​= ​11)
 CON group (n ​= ​11)
Pre-test Post-test Pre-test Post-test
Weight (kg) 55.80 ​± ​9.66 56.81 ​± ​10.17 60.68 ​± ​10.96 58.10 ​± ​10.65a
BMI (kg/m2) 20.24 ​± ​2.18 20.95 ​± ​2.23a 21.84 ​± ​1.47 20.89 ​± ​1.68a
Body fat (%) 20.39 ​± ​3.83 21.85 ​± ​4.58a 21.87 ​± ​5.65 19.26 ​± ​5.32a
RHR (beat/min) 72.54 ​± ​5.61 73.09 ​± ​5.08 71.00 ​± ​6.52 68.27 ​± ​6.94a
Systolic BP (mmHg) 113.90 ​± ​11.84 116.00 ​± ​11.56 113.90 ​± ​8.45 115.54 ​± ​7.03
Diastolic BP (mmHg) 63.36 ​± ​10.58 65.27 ​± ​10.06 69.54 ​± ​11.07 70.90 ​± ​12.30
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BMI = Body mass index, RHR = Resting heart rate, BP = Blood pressure.

Data are presented as mean ​± ​SD.

a

p ​< ​0.05, vs. pre-test.

3.2. Cardiorespiratory fitness

After 8 weeks, the SSK group showed significantly increased VO2peak (p ​< ​0.001), FVC (p ​= ​0.004), FEV1 (p ​= ​0.003), and MVV (p ​< ​0.001) compared with the pre-test. Moreover, the SSK groups significantly increased in MVV (p ​= ​0.043) when compared with the CON group. Both MIP and MEP were significantly increase in the SKK group when compared with the pre-test (MIP; p ​< ​0.001, MEP; p ​< ​0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences (p ​> ​0.05) in the FEV1/FVC between the two groups (Table 3.).

Table 3.

Cardiorespiratory fitness variables.

Variables SSK group (n ​= ​11)
 CON group (n ​= ​11)
Pre-test Post-test Pre-test Post-test
VO2peak (ml/kg/min) 36.16 ​± ​3.56 36.53 ​± ​3.15 36.91 ​± ​3.93 39.54 ​± ​4.11∗
FVC (L) 2.23 ​± ​0.63 2.33 ​± ​0.64 2.36 ​± ​0.79 2.82 ​± ​0.63∗
FEV1 (L) 2.17 ​± ​0.64 2.32 ​± ​0.65 2.33 ​± ​0.78 2.81 ​± ​0.60∗
FEV1/FVC (%) 96.79 ​± ​4.86 99.26 ​± ​2.06 98.37 ​± ​2.77 99.74 ​± ​0.84
MVV (L/min) 102.60 ​± ​30.15 102.67 ​± ​29.84 105.48 ​± ​33.70 133.49 ​± ​36.08∗†
MIP (cmH2O) 74.63 ​± ​15.64 77.36 ​± ​16.98 66.72 ​± ​21.29 81.00 ​± ​21.37∗
MEP (cmH2O) 69.90 ​± ​16.43 74.83 ​± ​16.79 72.36 ​± ​21.78 85.36 ​± ​21.94∗
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VO2max ​= ​Maximum oxygen consumption, FVC = Force Vital Capacity, FEV1 = Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 ​s, MVV ​= ​Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, MIP ​= ​Maximum Inspiratory Pressure, MEP ​= ​Maximum Expiratory Pressure.

Data are presented as mean ​± ​SD. ∗p ​< ​0.05, vs. pre-test, †p ​< ​0.05, vs. CON.

3.3. Muscle strength and endurance

After 8 weeks, the SSK group showed significantly increased back (p ​< ​0.001, p ​= ​0.030) and leg (p < 0.001, p ​= ​0.032) muscular strength, and lower body muscular endurance by the sit-to-stand tests (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) compared with the pre-test and the CON group. Moreover, the SSK groups had significantly increased upper body endurance by sit-up test (p < 0.001) compared with pre-test (Fig. 2.).

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

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The comparison of the muscular strength and endurance variables between the CON and SSK group.

Data are presented as mean (SD) ∗p < 0.05, vs. pre-test, †p < 0.05, vs. CON.

3.4. Flexibility and balance

The SSK groups had significantly increased flexibility by sit and reach test (p < 0.001), compared with pre-test. In addition, the SSK group showed significantly increased balance in all direction such as anterior (p < 0.001, p < 0.001), posteromedial (p < 0.001, p ​= ​0.015), and posterolateral directions (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) compared with the pre-test and the CON groups (Fig. 3.).

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

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The comparison of the flexibility and balance variables between the CON and SSK group.

Data are presented as mean (SD.) ∗p < 0.05, vs. pre-test, †p < 0.05, vs. CON.

4. Discussion

To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effects of surf skateboard training on physical fitness in young people. The principal finding of the present study was that surf skateboard training improved body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance in young people. The results of this study demonstrate that surf skateboard training, similar to aerobic exercise, effectively improves body composition by reducing weight, BMI, and body fat percentage. These findings align with previous research showing aerobic exercise can positively impact body composition and reduce risk factors for metabolic syndrome.16, 17, 18 Additionally, Hetzler et al.9 found that 30 ​min of continuous skateboarding on a flat surface 3–5 times per week can enhance cardiorespiratory endurance and burn significant calories (617.2 ​kcal/h), making it suitable for weight management programs. The reduction in body composition is attributed to increased energy expenditure from physical exercise, leading to lower body weight, BMI, and body fat percentage.19 As a result, in addition to creating weight reduction, surf skateboard training can help to improve body composition.

Furthermore, the study revealed that the CON group, which maintained normal daily activities without organized physical activity, experienced significant increases in BMI and body fat percentage compared to their pre-test measurements. This suggests that a lack of physical activity and uncontrolled diet leads to weight gain and increased body fat, resulting in a higher BMI. These findings are consistent with Smith et al.,20 who demonstrated that sedentary behavior is associated with weight gain.

Our results showed that surf skateboard exercise improved cardiopulmonary fitness by reducing resting heart rate (RHR) and increasing VO2peak. The decrease in RHR aligns with previous research, likely due to cardiovascular adaptations from aerobic exercise, which inhibit sympathetic activity and boost parasympathetic activation.21,22 The training group maintained a moderate heart rate during sessions, similar to aerobic exercise, with increases likely due to factors related to surf skateboarding. Prior research on skateboarding, a related activity, indicates that increased lower limb muscular activity for stabilization and propulsion contributes to higher heart rates.23,24 According to Bahrainy et al.,21 neither an increase in resting parasympathetic tone nor a decrease in responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation contributes to the decrease in RHR following frequent exercise or physical activity in people.

VO2peak measures aerobic capacity, reflecting the efficiency of the circulatory and respiratory systems. It combines cardiovascular and skeletal muscle oxidative function, pulmonary ventilation, and diffusion capacity.25,26 This study found that eight weeks of moderate-intensity surf skateboarding (40%–60​% HRR) improved VO2peak. Surf skateboarding involves continuous, large muscle movements in both the upper and lower body. The dynamic kicking motion used for propulsion increases oxygen consumption and enhances circulatory and respiratory function.

Improved cardiorespiratory endurance alters aerobic performance by meeting the body's increased oxygen demand during exercise, achieved by higher cardiac output through increased heart rate and stroke volume. Enhanced capillary and skeletal muscle function allows muscles to use oxygen more efficiently.27,28 Efficient oxygen exchange from capillaries to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to capillaries results from structural changes in skeletal muscles due to exercise, improving blood flow to active muscles. This leads to better oxygen combustion for energy, increasing maximal oxygen consumption and enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness.29

The increase in VO2peak was associated with an increase in lung function and respiratory muscle strength following the surf skateboard training program. The present study also showed that surf skateboard training increased FVC, FEV1, MVV, MIP, and MEP. These results are in alignment with other studies,30,31 who found that aerobic exercise training improved lung function. The increase in FEV1 is mostly due to the lungs expanding during aerobic exercise, resulting in a greater volume of air delivered into the airways and a widening of the respiratory tract.

Because breathing requires the movement of the trunk, which is related to the movement of the upper limbs, respiration is closely related to the upper limbs. Surf skateboard training moves different parts of the body, especially the upper body muscles that have respiratory muscles as a component. This results in increased respiratory muscle strength by increasing the size of the muscles, the number of muscle fibers, and the number of capillaries in the muscle fibers,32 which results in improved lung function. In addition, the airway resistance is reduced by the trachea being stimulated to expand,33 thus allowing the airway to flow more efficiently. Therefore, the oxygen utilization and the diffusion rate are improved. Respiratory resistance is reduced. The increase in the oxidative capacity of the inspiratory muscles thus increased the efficiency of breathing,34 in line with Farid et al.,35 who found that eight weeks of aerobic exercise three times a week increases FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC.

MVV is an evaluation of respiratory muscle performance. Improved MVV during exercise training could be attributed to greater development of respiratory musculature as a result of physical training. From the results of this study, it was found that after 8 weeks of surf skateboard training, respiratory muscle strength increased by increasing MIP and MEP. Surf skateboarding is an exercise with stimulation of increased breathing rate and air pressure that may result in respiratory muscle hypertrophy,36 and as a result of surf skateboard training, continuous movement causes more frequent and deep breathing. Therefore, repeated contraction of the lungs and airways together throughout the training period results in improved respiratory muscle strength.

The findings from this current study align with similar research focusing on muscular adaptations, flexibility, and balance in aerobic exercise.37, 38, 39 Over an 8-week period, young participants engaged in surf skateboard training and demonstrated improvements in back and leg muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance. Surf skateboard exercises engage both upper and lower body muscles through twisting and swinging motions, activating core muscles for stabilization and directional control. These movements stimulate concentric and eccentric forces, prompting muscle fibers to adapt and potentially hypertrophy, enhancing muscle efficiency and flexibility.40, 41, 42

Flexibility, or the capacity to move a joint over its whole range of motion, is crucial in sports, fitness, and clinical settings.43 The training program for surf skateboarding requires a wide range of movements involving various joints in different directions. These movements are repeated frequently, such as turning around cones, which affect moving the lower body in a zigzag direction. The program requires moving in multiple directions, including forwards and sideways, as well as making turns. Squatting during the training combine with the hip joint rotating inward and outward, and twisting the heel, which enhances flexibility. In addition to promoting flexibility due to the action of stretching before and after training, there will be a static stretching process in different parts of the body, which is an effective method for external force to cause flexibility to increase. Additionally, previous studies indicate that static stretching improves flexibility and could contribute to mitigating the incidence of injury.44,45

Furthermore, the present study also demonstrates that after eight weeks of surf skateboard training, balance was improved as measured by the Y balance test. The main factor that allows the experimental group to surf skateboard fluently is being able to balance, which results in being able to stand on the board stably and steer the board precisely. In the training program, the subject had to stand on the board at all times and turn in a specified direction. Postural control is based on the ability to synchronize many systems in a continuing cycle: sensory systems (vestibular, visual, and somatosensory), cognitive system (central nervous system), and musculoskeletal system.46 Thus increasing the subject's balance skills by controlling the posture to keep the center of gravity of the body within the base area to support the weight of the body either while stationary or while moving.

This study has certain constraints associated with the limited number of participants and the absence of objective measures for the participants' overall physical activity and dietary habits, which could influence their fitness gains and body composition. Therefore, a recommended avenue for future investigation would be to conduct the intervention on a larger sample size while comparing various aerobic programs to ascertain the most effective one. Additionally, measuring both physical activity and dietary habits would be beneficial for a more comprehensive understanding of the outcomes.

In conclusion, the findings indicate that engaging in surf skateboard training with moderate intensity can enhance various aspects of physical fitness in young individuals, such as body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Sangarun Kaewcham: Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Wannaporn Tongtako: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Software, Resources, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization.

Ethical approval statement

The study was approved by the Research Ethics Review Committee for Research Involving Humans at Chulalongkorn University (COA No. 111/65), and all participants provided written, informed consent.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are not publicly available due to privacy data of participant but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgements

We sincerely appreciate all the volunteers who contributed their time and effort to this study. This study was supported by Exercise Physiology in Special Population Research Unit, and Faculty of Sports Science Fund, Chulalongkorn University.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are not publicly available due to privacy data of participant but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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