Swimming flume case report of stand-up paddle boarding

Tests performed in a swimming flume in laboratory, under carefully controlled conditions, can be indicative of actual stand-up paddle (SUP) performance on the water. Aim of the case report was to test the feasibility of testing the SUP performance in the swimming flume, as absolute values and as percentage of peak values assessed through a maximal incremental cycle ergometer test. One high level competitive stand paddle male athlete performed a maximal incremental cycle ergometer test and a continuous multistage maximal incremental test on a SUP board in a swimming flume. Gas exchanges and heart rate were continuously recorded during both tests. Blood samples were taken after warming up and after the end of the tests. The swimming flume assessment of maximal aerobic power in our SUP athlete yield higher results than those reported for the cycle ergometer test. The evaluation protocol can thus be considered a valid field testing of SUP on the water, with the advantage of being performed in a laboratory carefully controlled environment. Our elite participant exhibited good level of maximal aerobic power, in the range of those seen in other paddling and rowing disciplines. The energy cost of SUP paddling demonstrated to be in the intense and severe domain. Consequently, SUP paddling can be considered a valuable exercise method for training and health purposes.