The Influence of Lower-Limb Strength and Power on the Speed and Heat Results of Professional Brazilian Surfers.

Souza, Pedro C.; Guerra, Ricardo L.F.

Purpose: To correlate speed and heat scores with anthropometric variables and lower-limb strength and power in professional surfers. Methods: A total of 19 men participated in simulated competitions on different days. All surfed waves were scored, and each athlete's best 2 were used for their total heat score. Speed values were extracted by global positioning system and adjusted by Z score. Squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jump were executed. Anthropometric variables and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) in the half squat were measured. Pearson product–moment correlation was used to analyze the relationships. Results: Height had a significant (P <.05) inverse association with speed indicators (r = −.36 to −.68), and body mass index had a moderate association with maximum wave speed of the highest score. Significant correlations with moderate to large magnitudes were found between maximum speed and vertical jumps (r =.46 to.56), average speed and vertical jumps (r =.48 to.59), and both maximum and average speed with 1RM (r =.52–.53). Athletes' best score and total heat score showed moderate to large associations with vertical jumps and 1RM (r =.48–.64), whereas second scores were correlated with the reactive strength index of the drop jump (r =.48) and 1RM (r =.51). Conclusions: Shorter surfers with lower center of gravity and those with superior lower-limb strength and power achieved greater speed and higher scores. Accordingly, surf coaches may consider prescribing dynamic strength and balance training based on an athlete's profile to improve performance.

BRAZIL; LEG physiology; PEARSON correlation (Statistics); CROSS-sectional method; STATISTICAL sampling; EXERCISE intensity; GLOBAL Positioning System; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; MUSCLE strength testing; PHYSICAL training & conditioning; MUSCLE strength; AQUATIC sports; HEAT; ANTHROPOMETRY; ATHLETIC ability; JUMPING; COMPARATIVE studies; BODY movement

International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 2025, Vol 20, Issue 1, p91

1555-0265

Academic Journal

10.1123/ijspp.2023-0520