Stance affects balance in surfers

Abstract

Surfing is a dynamic sport and is performed in a highly unstable and changing environment, making balance a vital characteristic for surfers. It might be expected that repeated practice of particular movements in a specific stance, such as surfing, would lead to specific balance adaptations. This study investigated dynamic balance within surfers while also evaluating the influence of stance. Balance was assessed using the Biodex Stability System in an upright bipedal stance in 20 adult male surfers (age 24.10 ± 2.40 years, mass 74.95 ± 8.26 kg, height 177.11 ± 6.13 cm). Three 20-second balance trials were performed, and the degree and direction of tilt from horizontal were recorded. Results indicated that regular stance surfers spent a significantly ( p < 0.05) greater percentage of time (66.18% ± 26.28) in horizontal balance compared to goofy stance surfers (44.03% ± 18.96). Regular stance surfers spent a significantly greater percentage of time (38.81% ± 14.77) in a posterior direction compared to goofy stance surfers (20.09% ± 7.25), while goofy stance surfers spent a significantly greater percentage of time in an anterior direction (40.50% ± 21.61) compared to regular stance surfers (16.04% ± 8.84). Surf stance appears to play a large role in horizontal and directional balance. These findings suggest the repetition of particular movements relative to stance may induce specific adaptations in surfers. Therefore, balance measurements may be used as an evaluation tool in this population.