ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In order to prepare beginners to be windsurfing players, windsurf-specific fitness training is necessary besides windsurfing skill training. The aim of this study was to clarify distinguish the difference in physical abilities between college windsurfers and age-matched college students without regular exercise, and to provide further training suggestions for a novice. METHODS: Eight windsurfers and a group of eight age and gender-matched students were involved in the present study. In this study, the ability of coordination, proprioception deficit, balance ability, maximum muscle strength, and muscle endurance for upper and lower limb were measured. RESULTS: The results showed windsurfers had significantly better coordination ability than the control group in both shoulders and the non-dominant knee. Besides, windsurfers had a significantly smaller sway area of the center of pressure in the balance test. The maximum knee isometric force in non-dominant limbs and upper limb muscle endurance also showed significantly better testing results for the windsurfers. CONCLUSIONS: This study verified that windsurfers have better physical capability especially in the non-dominant side limbs when compared to common health people.