Prone Surfing Field Study

Dec. 11, 2014

California State University San Marcos
Adam Glover, Anna Nguyen, Ayana White, Catelin Fiene, Farha Samaan, Kathryn Irving, Kayla
Holmes, Neil Hefler, Nelson Vielma, Paul Cortes

Abstract
The heart rates of recreational surfers were examined in order to determine whether or
not surfing produces heart rates that are considered adequate for maintaining cardiovascular
health. A total of sixteen surfers with ages ranging from 18-70 years volunteered to participate in
this study. There were no specific standards to collect subjects or specific requirement for how

many years of surfing experience they have. Before participating in the study, subjects were
asked to fill out a questionnaire pertaining to their surfing as well as other forms of exercise.
Heart rate data were gathered using the Polar RCX5 heart rate monitors and then uploaded into
Excel for analysis. A video camera was used to record each subject for approximately one hour.
Within the time they spent in the water, each subject performed different activities such as
paddling, wave riding, and when they were sitting upright on their board, it was considered as
stationary. This study found that recreational surfers spend the majority of their total time in the
water stationary at 54%, while spending 31% of their total time paddling, 11% of their time
doing miscellaneous activity, and 3% of their time wave riding. While comparing the percent
time spent in each activity for men and women, it was also found that women spend 41% of their
total time paddling and 51% of their total time stationary, while men only spend 30% of their
total time paddling and 54% of their total time stationary. The average age of our participants is
41.715.19 years therefore when looking at the guidelines set by the American Heart Association
(AHA), the target heart rate zone for this age group is 90-153 beats per minute. The average
heart rate of the participants in this study is 124.118.1 bpm. In addition, with the average age of
our subjects in mind, the AHA guideline for maximum heart rate level is 180 beats per minute.
The subjects recorded reached a maximum heart rate of 169.823.3bpm with an average heart
rate of 124.118.1bpm. The data supports the finding that recreational surfers are able to reach
maximum heart rate levels intermittently throughout a single surfing session and higher heart
rate levels are achieved through paddling in comparison to being stationary. Additionally, the
heart rates obtained during each activity were used to support the hypothesis that surfing meets
the requirements of maintaining a healthy cardiovascular fitness level.
Introduction
It is estimated that about 5-7 million people participate in surfing worldwide with about
2.1 million of these surfers being from the United States (Loveless & Minahan, 2010). Surfing
has become a popular sport in many countries since the 1960s (Frank et al.), and its popularity
has increased in recent years with an explosion of new companies, surfboard research, design
performance improvements, and improvements in wetsuit technology. This popularity has
allowed the surfing industry to expand into a multimillion dollar business with companies using
pro surfers to support and sell their products (Mendez-Villnueva & Bishop, 2005). Because of
this growth within the surfing companies, there has been more focus on how surfers, both
professional and recreational, can better improve their performance.
The surfing activity begins with the surfer in the prone position on the top of the
surfboard. The surfer stays in this position as they paddle out to the take-off area (MendezVillanueva & Bishop, 2005). At this point the surfer waits for an adequate wave to arrive and
once this occurs the surfer begins to powerfully paddle in order to catch the wave. Once the
surfer catches the wave they must stand and control the surfboard as the wave heads toward the
shore. A surfer will repeat this process many times in a single session. It is reported that surfers
spend about 45-50% of their time in the water paddling and about 35-40% of their time
remaining still (Mendez-Villanueva & Bishop, 2005).
As physical fitness levels have become an increasing concern in recent years, one way of
providing a fun, nature oriented path towards a healthier lifestyle could be to get more people
actively involved in the sport of surfing. Surfing is a sport that involves high-intensity
intermittent activity. For instance, surfers have to be able to paddle continuously for long
distances, hold their breath while engaging in high intensity paddling (such as duck-diving below
waves), perform powerful bursts of high intensity anaerobic paddling, and learn to remain calm

while being held under water with no oxygen. One method that can be used to test aerobic fitness
levels is measuring heart rates and comparing this data to established heart rates for specific
training intensities. For instance, Meir, Lowdon, and Davie used heart rate measurements as a
predictor of energy expenditure. This study concluded that heart rates during recreational surfing
are indeed comparable to a variety of other recreational sporting activities such as freestyle
swimming, tennis, and cycling. However, the Meir study used only six male subjects with a
mean age of 21 years. In order to get a better view of the heart rates obtained during bouts of
recreational surfing, a larger population sample with a much larger age range that includes
females needs to be studied. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that recreational
surfers between the ages of 18-70 produce heart rates that are considered satisfactory to reach
and maintain healthy cardiovascular fitness levels.
Methods
Subjects
One hundred seventy-three total subjects, all recreational surfers ranging in age of 18-70,
were recruited and volunteered to participate in the study. There were 145 males and 28 females
who participated. Of these total subjects, 65 of them were filmed in order to obtain data on heart
rates and percent times spent in each activity level. For the current study conducted this semester,
a total of 16 subjects were gathered, 15 males and 1 female, and no specific skill level was
required other than being a recreational surfer.
Protocols
All subjects were thoroughly informed about the operating procedure before getting
started. Each subject had to read and sign a consent form in addition to filling out a surfing and
physical activity questionnaire. Environmental factor (air temp, water temp, wave height, etc.)
were recorded from www.surfline.com by the investigator on the day of the study. The surfers
board height and wetsuit thickness were recorded as well.
Camera position was important when recording the participants, setting it up in an
elevated area was best. Depending on the terrain, the camera was set up perpendicular to the
surfers in order to collect all phases of surfing. As researchers were setting up the cameras, other
researchers were on the beach recruiting surfers and collecting field and heart rate data.
Measurements
The Polar RCX5 heart rate monitor came in two parts; one was the transmitter that wraps
around the subjects body distally to the sternum, and the other was the wristwatch where the
heart rates were collected every five seconds automatically. The heart rate wrist unit time and the
video camera time had to be in sync, it was important for both to start at the same time in order
for the heart rates to be matched correctly. Cell phones were used so researchers could
communicate in order to synchronize the recording with the heart rate monitor. The researchers
with the video camera recorded the subject continuously after starting the heart rate monitor.
Both the heart rate monitor and the camera were stopped once the subject was clearly off their
board and walking to shore.
Analysis

All data from the monitor was automatically synced to the website
polarpersonaltrainer.com, then the data was downloaded onto a USB. The data was then
uploaded onto an excel spreadsheet in time increments of 5 seconds for a total of 60 minutes or
however long the subject was surfing. The videos from the cameras were uploaded onto the
computer where it could be watched for analyzing. For every 5 seconds, the action of the surfer
which corresponded to their heart rate was recorded on the spreadsheet. Paddling (P), waveriding (WR), stationery (S) and miscellaneous (M) were the criteria used. If the subject was out
of view then ND or no data was recorded. After this was completed, the data was transferred
onto another spreadsheet where mean HRs, SDs, and % time (time spent in each action) for each
criteria was calculated.
We were interested in analyzing the percent of time in each activity as well as the
corresponding heart rates generated/produced by each specific activity. After completing the
videos, calculations were made to distinguish the amount of time each subject spent doing each
activity. The data for heart rate was analyzed for all the subjects in separate categories. This
allowed for the calculation of significant differences between the various activities recorded.
Results
Subject Characteristics
Table 1.
Male

Female

Total

Height(m)

1.790.09

1.660.06

1.770.09

Weight(kg)

79.8510.62

59.535.87

76.512.15

Age (yrs)

42.7015.33

37.6713.51

41.715.19

Years Surfing

22.0814.61

14.2713.48

20.414.54

Hrs Surfing Per Week

8.325.34

7.225.22

8.225.38

Surfing Competency

7.081.32

71.30

*This table depicts the average age, height in meters, weight in kilograms, years surfing, hours
surfing per week, and surfing competency level for the overall results.

Environmental Characteristics

Table 2.

Variables

Mean Standard Deviation

Water Temperature (Fahrenheit)

66.633.33

Air Temperature (Fahrenheit)

67.014.78

Wave Height (ft)

1.790.83

Wave Interval (s)

11.713.74

Wind Speed (knots)

4.8716.79

*This table depicts the average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, air temperature in
degrees Fahrenheit, wave height in feet, wave interval in seconds, and wind speed in knots for
the overall results.
Heart Rates
In Figure 1, total subjects displayed an average heart rate of 124.118.1 bpm with males
average heart rate being 124.518.2 bpm and females average heart rate being 121.617.4 bpm.
In figure 2, the total subjects displayed an average max heart rate of 169.823.3 bpm, with
males average max heart rate being 171.121.2 bpm, and females average max heart rate being
163.421.7 bpm. Figure 3 displays that while stationary the average heart rate is 123.118.4
bpm, during paddling the average heart rate is 138.717 bpm, during wave riding the average
heart rate is 140.617.7 bpm, and during miscellaneous activity the average heart rate is
129.717.8 bpm.
Figure 1. Average Heart Rates of Overall Results

*Data collected from 173 filmed and unfilmed subjects.

Figure 2. Average Maximum Heart Rates of Overall Results

*Data collected from 173 filmed and unfilmed subjects.

Figure 3. Average Heart Rates of Overall Results (per activity)

*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Time
In figure 4, the average time (minutes) spent surfing for total subjects was 68.629.1 with
males average time spent surfing being 68.329 and with females average time spent surfing
being 70.229.8. In figure 5, the data displays that subjects spent an average of 545% of their
time stationary, an average of 313% of their time paddling, an average of 30% of their time
wave riding, and an average of 111% of their time doing miscellaneous activity.

Figure 4. Average Time Spent Surfing of Overall Results

*Data collected from 173 filmed and unfilmed subjects.

Figure 5. Average Percent Time Spent in Each Activity Level of Overall Results
*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.
Statistical Analysis
A One-Way ANOVA Test with a Bonferroni post hoc test was performed for both the
Average Overall Heart Rate and Average Percent Time spent in each activity for the subjects. For
the Average Overall Heart rate between activity levels, it was found that heart rates achieved
while stationary are significantly different from those achieved by paddling and wave riding at
the 0.05 level. In addition, heart rates achieved for both paddling and wave riding are
significantly different from those achieved by miscellaneous activity at the 0.05 level. The same

tests were also used to find the significance between average percent time for each activity level.
It was found that there is a significant difference between the percent time spent at stationary,
paddling, wave riding, and miscellaneous activity at the 0.05 level.
Additional Findings
Figures 6-9 display the average percent time spent in either stationary, paddling, wave
riding, or miscellaneous activities for age ranges 20-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70. In figure
6 the average percent time spent in stationary was 54% for ages 20-30, 50% for ages 31-40, 55%
for ages 41-50, 58% for ages 51-60, and 59% for ages 61-70. In figure 7 the average percent time
spent in paddling was 31% for ages 20-30, 35% for ages 31-40, 31% for ages 41-50, 28% for
ages 51-60, and 22% for ages 61-70. In figure 8 the average percent time spent in wave riding
was 4% for ages 20-30, 3% for ages 31-40, 4% for ages 41-50, 4% for ages 51-60, and 2% for
ages 61-70. In figure 9 the average percent time spent in miscellaneous activity was 11% for ages
20-30, 10% for ages 31-40, 9% for ages 41-50, 9% for ages 51-60, and 15% for ages 61-70.
Figure 6. Average Percent Time Spent In Stationary for Each Age Range

* Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figure 7. Average Percent Time Spent In Paddling for Each Age Range

*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figure 8. Average Percent Time Spent in Wave Riding for Each Age Range

*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figure 9. Average Percent Time Spent In Miscellaneous for Each Age Range

*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figures 10-13 display the average percent time spent in stationary, paddling, wave riding,
and miscellaneous activities for both males and females. In figure 10 the average percent time
spent stationary was 54% for males and 51% for females. In figure 11 the average percent time
spent paddling was 30% for males and 41% for females. In figure 12 the average percent time
spent wave riding was 4% for males and 3% for females. In figure 13 the average percent time
spent in miscellaneous activity was 11% for males and 5% for females.

Figure 10. Average Percent Time Spent in Stationary for Males and Females.
*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figure 11. Average Percent Time Spent in Paddling for Males and Females.
*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figure 12. Average Percent Time Spent Wave Riding for Males and Females.
*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Figure 13. Average Percent Time Spent in Miscellaneous Activity for Males and Females

*Data collected from 65 filmed subjects.

Discussion
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that recreational surfers between the
ages of 18-70 produce heart rates that both reach and sustain cardiovascular fitness levels. The
average age of our participants is 41.715.19 years therefore when looking at the guidelines set
by the American Heart Association (AHA), the target heart rate zone for this age group is 90-153
beats per minute. The average heart rate of the participants in this study is 124.118.1 bpm. This
suggests that the participants are within the AHA guideline for target heart rate zone while
surfing. In addition, with the average age of our subjects in mind, the AHA guideline for
maximum heart rate level is 180 beats per minute. The average maximum heart rate level for the
participants in this study is 169.823.3 bpm. This suggests that the participants are reaching
maximum heart rate levels while surfing. The results of this study can conclude that recreational
surfing is a form of activity that can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health.
The study conducted by Meir et al. (1991) found that recreational surfers spent the
majority of their time in the water paddling at 44%, followed by 35% of their total time
stationary, 16% of their total time doing miscellaneous activity, and 5% of their total time wave
riding. However, our study found that recreational surfers spend the majority of their total time in
the water stationary at 54%, while spending 31% of their total time paddling, 11% of their time
doing miscellaneous activity, and 3% of their time wave riding. These findings were consistent
across all ages groups ranging from 18 years old to 70 years old. Subjects included in the ages
ranging between 50-70 years old spent the majority of their time stationary while surfing. In
addition, while younger subjects, ages 20-30, spent most of their time stationary they spent more
time on average wave riding (4% of total time) in comparison to older subjects, ages 60-70, who
spent 2% of their total time wave riding. Also while comparing the percent time spent in each
activity for men and women we found that women spend 41% of their total time paddling and
51% of their total time stationary while men only spend 30% of their total time paddling and
54% of their total time stationary. This suggests that women could be more active in the water in
comparison to men.

In the same study conducted by Meir et al (1991) it was reported that recreational surfers
reached a maximum heart rate of 1717.5 beats per minute (bpm) with an average heart rate of
1356.9bpm. In addition, this study found that the average heart rate for recreational surfers
while stationary is 1276.9bpm and while paddling is 14310.5bpm. This data suggests that
recreational surfers are able to reach maximum heart rate levels intermittently throughout a
single surfing session and higher heart rate levels are achieved through paddling in comparison
to stationary. Our data supports these findings because our subjects reached a maximum heart
rate of 169.823.3bpm with an average heart rate of 124.118.1bpm. Our reported averages are
substantially similar to those reported by the Meir et al. study. Also, our reported average heart
rate for our subjects during stationary is 123.1 18.4 and during paddling is 138.717 which are
also substantially similar to those reported by the Meir et al. study. This supports our assertion
that recreational surfers are able to reach maximum heart rate levels and sustain heart rate levels
throughout a single surfing session.
According to Farley et al. (2012), the mean heart rate for professional surfers during a
competition was 139.711bpm while the maximum heart rate was 19012bpm. In comparison,
this average heart rate reported for recreational surfers in our study (124.118.1bpm) is
considerably lower than that of the professional surfers. This is also true when comparing our
reported average maximum heart rate (169.823.3bpm) for recreational surfers. However, data
collected in the Farley et al. study was obtained from professional surfers during competition
while our data was taken from recreational surfers during a surf session with no restriction on
time. The Farley et al. study reported that professional surfers spend the majority of their time in
the water paddling at 546.3%bpm followed by 286.9% of their total time spent stationary and
82% of their total time wave riding. As previously stated, we found that recreational surfers
spend the majority of their time stationary while surfing. The differences in the data reported by
Farley et al. and our data could be due to the fact that professional surfers, when in competition,
have a short amount of time to catch as many waves as possible which can cause the increase in
paddle time observed by Farley et al.
Numerous limitations were encountered while performing data collection in this study.
Only 16 subjects were usable out of the 26 that were recorded, which could be due to a number
of factors. Subjects reported the heart rate band not staying in place as they went from lying on
the surfboard to standing and catching a wave. Plus, there may have been certain movements that
the subjects performed that separated the band from their skin for a certain amount of time,
which resulted in no data. Also, many subjects were resistant to wearing the rash guard or
shooting sleeve, which made it difficult to spot them in the water during recording. Camera
positioning was also a limitation, the subjects would occasionally paddle out of sight causing us
to lose data. Environmental factors also were also a limitation. It should be noted that
environmental factors can have a direct effect on the results involving percent time surfers spend
in a certain activity. In addition periods of precipitation restrained data collection. In addition to

limitations encountered during data collection there were also limitations involved with data
analysis during this study. The total amount of data analysis was completed with the amount of
173 subjects, however; only 65 of these subjects were analyzed by video. The subjects that
lacked video analysis could not be used to analyzed heart rate and percent time information for
each activity level. Moreover, previous Kinesiology 326 groups did not record the surfing
competency of their subjects; therefore, we were only able to analyze the surfing competency of
the 16 subjects acquired throughout the current semester. Inaccurate readings of heart rates
gathered from the polar RCX5 heart rate monitor (between 0-50bpm) were considered no data;
once the no data exceed 10% of the overall data collected the subject was no longer usable. This
impacted our sample size but prevented the possibility of any effects on the accuracy of the
overall data. The percent time subjects spent in each activity (stationary, paddling, wave riding,
and miscellaneous) was also something that previous groups did not record into the overall
spreadsheet, as a result this information had to be obtained through calculations by members of
our group, thus opening up the possibility for human error committed during the process. Lastly,
there is a significant difference of male vs. female subjects tested (60 males, 5 female).
In conclusion, our hypothesis that recreational surfers between the ages of 18-70 produce
heart rates that are considered satisfactory to reach and maintain healthy cardiovascular fitness
levels can be accepted through the analysis of our data. Recreational surfers are able to meet
and/or exceed AHA suggested target heart rate zones and maximum heart rate levels. Our results
indicated that surfing is an activity that will maintain cardiovascular health for participants at all
ages. Future studies should address the decline in the percent time spent paddling for the older
age group (50+ years old) and ask the question of whether or not surfing will continue to
maintain cardiovascular fitness levels for older surfers. Also, there is limited data in this study as
well as previous studies on women and how their cardiovascular fitness is affected. Further
research should include a larger data set for women in order to distinguish any bias included in
previous studies. Practical applications that can be obtained from this study are that surfing is an
excellent form of exercise for all ages. Surfing can be an alternative form of exercise for those
that are searching for a way to exercise that is both more enjoyable and sustainable. Most surfers
do not realize that they have reached maximum heart rate levels because of the fact that they are
engaging in an activity that they enjoy.

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Frank, M., Zhou, S., Bezerra, P., & Crowley, Z. (2009). Effects of long-term recreational surfing
on control of force and posture in older surfers: A preliminary investigation. Exercise
Science & Fitness, 7(1), 31-38.

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