The chronic effects of stand-up paddle boarding: A case study

Background: Physiotherapists routinely play a role in addressing sedentary behaviours due to their links to chronic disease, obesity and premature death. The association between inactivity and poor quality of life has been well documented. A major barrier to exercise is a perceived lack of time and lack of
enjoyment of pre-existing exercise modalities. Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is an activity deemed easy to learn, enjoyable with a reported multitude of both physiological and psychological benefits.
Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to determine the long term effects of participation in SUP on a variety of health and well-being parameters.
Methods: Two participants (1 male, 58yrs and 1 female, 58yrs) of a previous 6-week study utilising SUP as an intervention were tracked over a year after continuing training three times per week for an hour each session. They attended the Water Based Research Unit laboratory where they were assessed
for mass, body composition and aerobic fitness using a graded exercise test on a specialised SUP ergometer. Additionally, they were assessed for multi-directional trunk muscle endurance using prone and side bridging and the Biering Sorensen and a self-rated quality of life questionnaire
(WHO QoL - BREF).
Results: Over the one-year period the male lost 6.8kg (-8%), decreased his % body fat by 5%, and reduced his BMI by 7.34%. The female lost 3.7kg (-6.9%), had a 6.6% decrease in % body fat and reduced her BMI by 15.35%. Trunk muscle endurance improved by 70% overall in the male and 147.5% overall in the female. Aerobic fitness improved by 25% in the male (+5.5ml/kg/min) and 42.15% in
the female (+12.2ml/kg/min). Self-rated quality of life improved in the male 84.09% in the physical domain, 33.93% in the psychological domain, 50% in the social relationships domain and 58.87% in the environment domains while the female improved 17.39% in the physical, 33.93% in the psychological, 25.33% in the social relationships and 27.54% in the environment domains.
Conclusion(s): Long term participation in SUP appears to be associated with improvements in overall mass, body composition, aerobic fitness, trunk muscle endurance and self-rated quality of life. Given the documented long term physiological, musculoskeletal and psychological effects of SUP and its relative ease and accessibility, it appears to be a novel but beneficial exercise tool which could be promoted for its wide range of positive health and fitness effects.
Implications: Stand Up Paddle Boarding could be promoted as an alternative means of encouraging physical activity among inactive people due to it being enjoyable, accessible and easy to learn with a documented multitude of health and well-being benefits.
Key-Words: Stand Up Paddle Boarding; Training Interventions; Health Promotion