# Effect of a Sensorimotor Training Program for Aerial Maneuvers in Junior Surfers
## 4 Discussion
In fact, due to the size and variability of our sample, despite all twelve being junior surfers and similar in age (15.50 \(\pm\) 2.11 years-old), they presented a wider range of anthropometric characteristics (weight: 54.28 \(\pm\) 9.77 kg; height: 164.29 \(\pm\) 8.97 cm), which can probably be explained by unconfirmed different maturational profiles. Therefore, pre-program physical performance capacities and adaptations to new and/more demanding exercises as the program followed through might not have been equal for all participants, which also explains their low pre-program variables scores. Supporting this idea, a recent study [57] analyzed the impact of age and maturation on physical performance capacities in junior surfing competitors. Their results revealed that physical performance capacities were similarly influenced by both maturity and age, except for general athletic abilities, which displayed a significant correlation with maturation level but not age. However, the post-training changes on ankle dorsiflexion, balance, and lower limb strength suggest that the proposed program can improve not only those variables but also positively influence the surfer's ability to control their posture and effectively absorb eccentric forces while landing an aerial maneuver. We can also theorize that practice and repetition of the suggested analytical tasks will also benefit surfing performance [14], as some of the movements (e.g., one twist w/arms swing) are similar to the proposed surfing task (e.g., 180\({}^{\circ}\) frontside aerial). Being a high-risk maneuver, dry-land aerials training is presented as an option to optimize a surfer's landing technique and improve completion rates [7], making the surfer more prepared for the task, and therefore reducing the risk of lower limb injury while performing one of these maneuvers. Previous research [55] demonstrated that an 8-week land-based training program improved core muscle strength, power, countermovement jump performance, peak power, and rotational flexibility in young surf athletes. Whilst engaging in this kind of training is clearly advantageous for the health and psychological well-being of adolescents, it also plays a crucial role in their growth and motor skill development [54]. The training duration (7 weeks), frequency (two-times/week), duration (60 min session), and resting time (1 to 3 min) are in line with a systematic review on neuromuscular training for young athletes that points to four weeks as the minimal necessary period to generate neuromuscular adaptations, with an exercise program's duration ranging between 6 weeks to 8 months, two times per week, and with an average training duration of 60 min, varying from 30 to 90 min [28]. These ideas are also supported by the American Academy of Pediatric guidance document [38,46]. In terms of the required materials, this training would be easy to implement, as it only requires agility, training, and landing mats, training boxes, and jumping barriers. As a recommendation for coaches, all surfers should be assessed at the beginning of each competitive season regarding their physical performance indicators, since the results can be used as a base to improve their limitations; and the YBT-LQ and KW tests results should be considered as reference for lower limb injury risk. Other important aspects are the following: (1) the utilization of initial dry-land training to ensure the surfer's control of body segments with simple exercises which can later be used for technical aerial training tasks; and then (2) to verify the performance of movements similar to the aerial, but in a simplified context and with a greater number of repetitions, which will allow the surfer to evolve in the execution of aerials in the water.