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Self-selected speeds and metabolic cost of longboard skateboarding

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine self-selected speeds, metabolic rate, and gross metabolic cost during longboard skateboarding.

Methods

We measured overground speed and metabolic rate while 15 experienced longboarders traveled at their self-selected slow, typical and fast speeds.

Results

Mean longboarding speeds were 3.7, 4.5 and 5.1 m s−1, during slow, typical and fast trials, respectively. Mean rates of oxygen consumption were 24.1, 29.1 and 37.2 ml kg−1 min−1 and mean rates of energy expenditure were 33.5, 41.8 and 52.7 kJ min−1 at the slow, typical and fast speeds, respectively. At typical speeds, average intensity was ~8.5 METs. There was a significant positive relationship between oxygen consumption and energy expenditure versus speed (R 2 = 0.69 (P < 0.001), and R 2 = 0.78 (P < 0.001), respectively). The gross metabolic cost was ~2.2 J kg−1 m−1 at the typical speed, greater than that reported for cycling and ~50 % smaller than that of walking.

Conclusion

These results suggest that longboarding is a novel form of physical activity that elicits vigorous intensity, yet is economical compared to walking.

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Abbreviations

ACSM:

American College of Sport Medicine

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

GPS:

Global positioning system

Hz:

Hertz

J:

Joules

kg:

Kilogram

km:

Kilometer

kJ:

Kilojoule

MET:

Metabolic equivalent

m:

Meter

min:

Minute

ml:

Milliliters

MPH:

Miles per hour

s:

Second

SEE:

Standard error of the estimate

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from AEND Industries.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

This experiment complies with the current laws of the United States of America.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, 220 Moby B Complex, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Wayne J. Board

  2. Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, 215C Moby B Complex, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1582, USA

    Raymond C. Browning

Authors
  1. Wayne J. Board
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  2. Raymond C. Browning
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Raymond C. Browning.

Additional information

Communicated by Guido Ferretti.

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Board, W.J., Browning, R.C. Self-selected speeds and metabolic cost of longboard skateboarding. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 2381–2386 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2959-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2959-x

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