Longboard skate poling: Physiological and perceptual responses as an emerging recreational activity

Abstract

Longboard skate poling is an emerging recreational activity that incorporates upper-body propulsion while riders maintain balance on a longboard, yet its ability to provide vigorous whole-body exercise has not been well described. This exploratory study quantified the acute physiological responses of fifteen healthy young adults to a standardized twenty-minute skate poling session. Participants rode a longboard while propelling themselves forward using a handheld pole at a predetermined stroke rate while oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production were measured breath by breath using a portable gas analysis system. Heart rate was recorded continuously by a chest-strap monitor. From these recordings, metabolic equivalents and energy expenditure were calculated. Immediately after completing the session, participants reported perceived exertion, Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion, and enjoyment, Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. On average, participants expended a total of 309.5 ± 27.8 kilocalories, 14.1 ± 1.2 kilocalories per minute, and achieved 12.0 ± 1.6 metabolic equivalents, with the lower bound of the 95 percent confidence interval remaining well above the threshold used to classify vigorous intensity exercise. Mean heart rate was reported as 163 ± 6 beats per minute, corresponding to 94 ± 4 percent of age-predicted maximal heart rate. Peak heart rate reached 187 ± 7 beats per minute. Participant perceptual responses reflected experiencing high effort and positive affect; the average perceived exertion rating was 16 ± 1 on the 6 to 20 scale and an enjoyment score of 4.6 ± 0.2 on a 5-point scale. These findings are suggestive that, as an exercise medium, longboard skate poling can produce vigorous physiological responses while remaining highly enjoyable for riders. This suggests that skate poling may offer a physically demanding and engaging alternative to traditional exercise. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to determine whether these acute observations are sustainable and whether this modality can be integrated into accessible, structured exercise programs.