# Effect of a Sensorimotor Training Program for Aerial Maneuvers in Junior Surfers
## 4 Discussion
It is also clear that for junior surfing athletes, failing to maintain a consistent regimen of resistance training alongside their surf training may result in detrimental reductions in power, strength, and sensorimotor ability, ultimately diminishing their physical performance [54]. These findings underscore the inadequate existing physical training regimen for adolescent competitors, emphasizing the necessity for a more comprehensive training program that involves structured dry-land training to optimize their athletic potential. Adding on this, other authors [54] suggest that surfing alone does not provide a sufficiently potent stimulus to sustain optimal performance parameters, and that young surfers should incorporate training strategies with respect to their strength, power, and sensorimotor abilities to avoid the negative consequences of detraining. Therefore, a specific sensorimotor training program was created, comprising coordination (balance, rhythm, and spatial awareness); strength, power, and core (lower limb byometrics and core stability); and endurance exercises. These exercise categories were previously identified as performance and injury prevention indicators in surfing [2, 38, 43, 44]. Coordination exercises are related to the ability to control fundamental movement skills (locomotor, manipulation, and stability skills), increasing one's capacity to react to unanticipated situations, optimize sport-specific movements, and ultimately reducing the risk of injuries in young athletes [28]. Therefore, when surfers possess the ability to stabilize and control their posture, it increases their chance of executing successful landings and smoothly transitioning to the next maneuver rapidly and effectively [54]. The coordination exercises were also defined taking into consideration the specificity of the aerial tasks, like arm swing during jumping and landing while controlling the body's trajectory (e.g., one twist w/arms swing (to landing mat 30)). Strength, power, and core exercises are part of any sensorimotor training program, since they focus on the activation of deep trunk muscles, leading to improved muscle control and enhanced coordination both within and between muscles [55]. It has also been observed that greater physical performance characteristics such as strength and power are positively linked to improved surfing performance [54], being critical for force absorption while landing aerials or floaters [36]. As strength deficits have been frequently associated with diminished neuromuscular control and a higher susceptibility to injuries among the younger population [28, 54], this training program incorporated the development of athletes' stretch shortening cycle ability (e.g., pylemetric exercises--\"seated box jump + broad jump\") and agility exercises (e.g., \"2-Leg Lateral Hurdle w/% twist\"), which involved enhancing skills at maximum speed and integrating changes of direction [28]. Enhanced muscular endurance in a surfing athlete reduces the likelihood of fatigue, leading to increased chances of heat wins and overall success in competitions [56]. This type of training is characterized by incorporating a range of exercises that target core and lower limb stability, as well as upper body and lower body movements, including both pushing and pulling strength exercises [28]. This programs' endurance exercises aimedmore specifically at the lower limbs (squats, lungs, and jumps) since their action is crucial to guarantee effectiveness of jumping/landing tasks for aerials. According to our research results, all three parameters measured had a positive improvement, which shows a trend that needs to be confirmed with larger sample studies and a control group in order to strengthen the study's internal validity and make it possible to generalize the main conclusions (external validity).