Changes in physical balance and mental health before and after performing exercises on a stand-up paddleboard

Abstract

Balance training is an essential component of athletic rehabilitation. It plays a crucial role in injury prevention and performance enhancement, with different sports requiring distinct balance abilities. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a sport that involves maintaining balance on unstable water surface, which may provide unique training effects for both static and dynamic balance. Additionally, previous studies suggest that SUP training may have positive effects on mental well-being. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SUP training on physical balance and mental conditions. Eight rehabilitation staff members (7 males, 1 female) with no prior experience in SUP or surfing participated in the study. A single-arm design was used, and assessments were conducted before and after a single (1) open-eyed, one-legged standing balance, (2) active center-of-gravity shift in open-eyed, onelegged standing balance, and (3) the Functional Reach Test (FRT). Mental condition was assessed using a mental conditioning sheet. The total trajectory length in open-eyed, one-legged standing balance significantly decreased for the non-dominant leg, indicating improved static balance. In contrast, the total trajectory length in active center-of-gravity shift significantly increased for both legs, suggesting enhanced dynamic balance. The FRT showed no significant differences. Regarding mental conditions, participants reported a significant reduction in “tension-anxiety” levels, while other moodrelated factors showed no significant changes. The results suggest that a single SUP training session can improve certain aspects of both static and dynamic balance. Additionally, it may have a beneficial impact on reducing anxiety. Further studies with larger sample sizes and multiple training sessions are needed to confirm the long-term effects of SUP training on physical and mental conditioning.