HEART RATE EFFECTS OF LONGBOARD SKATEBOARDING

Abstract

The longboard skateboard has a longer, and usually wider, deck than the standard skateboard to provide greater support of the rider during the higher speeds attained on this version of the skateboard. Fourteen volunteer subjects participated in downhill and uphill longboarding trials. Heart rates were monitored during both trials, and the downhill and uphill average heart rates were compared with resting heart rates and then compared with accepted intensity recommendations for health and fitness benefits. The study questions were: Does longboarding have an acute effect on heart rates? If so, will longboarding uphill and/or downhill cause heart rate changes to levels recommended to improve cardiorespiratory health and fitness?   With these questions as guidance we developed four hypotheses. With an average resting heart rate of 59.9 beats/minute, average downhill heart rate of  131.4 beats/minute and average uphill heart rate of 167.8 beats/minute statistical analysis showed statistically significant p values < .0001 and each null hypothesis was rejected in favor of their respective research hypotheses.  Based on average age and average resting heart rate, average age-predicted maximum heart rate was 193.2 beats/minute and heart rate reserve was 133.2 beats/minute. The average percentages of heart rate reserve for the downhill section (131.4 beats/minute) and the uphill section (167.8 beats/minute) were 54% and  81%, respectively. Downhill heart rates are within moderate intensity levels, 40% to  60% of heart rate reserve, and uphill heart rates are within vigorous intensity levels, greater than 60 % of heart rate reserve. These results indicate that longboarding can increase heart rate to suggested levels suggested by the American College of Sports Medicine for improving cardiovascular health and fitness.