Jeremy M Sheppard

Canada Snowboard · High Performance/Olympic Teams

Snowboarding tricks are judged by execution, difficulty, amplitude, variety and progression in freestyle disciplines. In Slopestyle, an additional judging criterion termed Overall Impression (40% of final score) quantifies the flow of the run. To maximise final score, we aim to investigate the relationship between jump rotation and judging score by...

To investigate the difference in the competitive success when incorporating an aerial into competition, compared to surfing a wave without an aerial manoeuvre. Results For an elite level surfing athlete, the inclusion of an aerial manoeuvre will likely be awarded with a higher score. In competition, surfers are now required to perform highly comple...

Competitive surfing is an international sport for both sexes from youth to senior, and including elite competition for juniors and professionals, and is included in the 2020 Olympic Games. Recent studies by Lundgren and associates (2013) and Ferrier et al (2014) have highlighted the importance of aerial manoeuvres in surfing and the physical attrib...

Epidemiological studies of surfing related injuries have found an increased occurrence of impact related injuries to the lower limbs (Furness et al., 2014). The incidence of injury has also been demonstrated to be particularly high after a dynamic type manoeuvre (Lundgren et al., 2015). As surfing is a repetitive sport with the athlete performing s...

High-Performance Training for Sports changed the landscape of athletic conditioning and sport performance when first published in 2014. Now the second edition builds on that groundbreaking work with the latest and most effective philosophies, protocols and programs for developing today’s athletes. High-Performance Training for Sports, Second Editio...

This study explored which technical and physical attributes could predict superior and/or safe landing performance when surfers performed variations of a simulated aerial task. Fourteen surfers (age 20.6 ± 5.7 years, height 178.1 ± 9.50 cm, mass 70.6 ± 10.8 kg) had their lower limb mobility, squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop-and-stick land...

We aimed to determine whether there were any differences in how surfers used their lead and trail limbs when landing two variations of a simulated aerial manoeuvre, and whether technique affected the forces generated at landing. Fifteen competitive surfers (age 20.3 ± 5.6 years, height 178.2 ± 9.16 cm, mass 71.0 ± 10.5 kg) performed a Frontside Air...

Throughout the sport-science and sports-medicine literature, the term “elite” subjects might be one of the most overused and ill-defined terms. Currently, there is no common perspective or terminology to characterize the caliber and training status of an individual or cohort. This paper presents a 6-tiered Participant Classification Framework where...

Purpose: Physical preparation of competitive surfers includes substantial dry-land training. It is currently unknown, however, how closely these exercises replicate surfing manoeuvres performed in the ocean. This study compared the technique features displayed by surfers when landing simulated aerial manoeuvres on land to critical features previou...

Forsyth, JR, Riddiford-Harland, DL, Whitting, JW, Sheppard, JM, and Steele, JR. Essential skills for superior wave-riding performance: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-To successfully and safely perform surfing maneuvers, surfers and their coaches need to know how to perform each maneuver correctly. Although some compon...

Surfing is a popular sport, but little is known about the extent to which recreational surfers experience fluid loss from this activity. The principal objective of this research was to estimate fluid loss during a surfing session through changes in pre-to post-session urine color (Ucol), urine osmolality (Uosm), and body mass (BM). Data were collec...

Previous research has suggested that several critical features are associated with the ability of surfers to successfully land two aerial variations, the Frontside Air (FA) and Frontside Air Reverse (FAR). We aimed to investigate whether surf-like simulated aerial landings replicated the key critical features of these two aerial variations. Based o...

Introduction During surfing competitions, aerial manoeuvres have been shown to significantly increase a surfer’s single-wave score, with the frontside air and frontside air reverse being performed successfully most frequently [1]. Performing aerial manoeuvres, however, has been associated with acute lower limb injuries, which are thought to be due...

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in the dynamic strength index (DSI): an assessment of upper-body dynamic strength relative to maximal isometric strength. The secondary purpose was to investigate gender differences in the dynamic skill deficit (DSD): an assessment of sports-specific dynamic strength relative t...

Farley, ORL, Secomb, JL, Raymond, ER, Lundgren, LE, Ferrier, BK, Abbiss, CR, and Sheppard, JM. Workloads of competitive surfing: work-to-relief ratios, surf-break demands, and updated analysis. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The study provides an in-depth descriptive and quantitative time-motion analysis of competitive surfing, using Glob...

The cover image, by J. R. Forsyth et al., is based on the Original Article Understanding successful and unsuccessful landings of aerial maneuver variations in professional surfing, DOI: 10.1111/sms.13055. Photo Credit: James Robert Forsyth, Biomechanics Research Laboratory, University of Wollongong.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of aerial manoeuvres on scoring in professional surfing. 23,631 waves were analysed for the number and types of aerial manoeuvres performed from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Men’s World Championship Tour. Additionally, the awarded score, timing and order of the aerial was also analysed. Descriptive sta...

Although performing aerial manoeuvres can increase wave score and winning potential in competitive surfing, the critical features underlying successful aerial performance have not been systematically investigated. This study aimed to analyse highly skilled aerial manoeuvre performance and identify the critical features associated with successful or...

Blow by the competition with advice from the world’s leading organization in the field of sport conditioning, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). In Developing Agility and Quickness, Second Edition, the NSCA’s leading experts provide evidence-based assessment tools, exercises, drills, and training regimens to achieve the rapi...

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of the isometric push-up (IPU), dynamic push-up (DPU), and force plate pop-up (FP POP) as measures of upper-body isometric and dynamic strength qualities in surfing athletes. Furthermore, the study aimed to compare pop-up performance between stronger and weaker surfers. Eighteen f...

Although previous research has investigated the training-specific adaptations to training in adults, there is a paucity of research aimed at investigating these adaptations in adolescent athletes. As such, adolescent athletes’ training-specific adaptations from three different training interventions were investigated in this study. Sixteen adolesce...

Background Surfing is a high skill sport that requires a considerable amount of time in a variety of ocean conditions to help develop the fundamental techniques. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of detraining on strength, power, and sensorimotor ability in adolescent surfers. Methods Nineteen adolesc...

Purpose: There is uncertainty as to which knee angle during a squat jump (SJ) produces maximal jump performance. Importantly, understanding this information will aid in determining appropriate ratios for assessment and monitoring of the explosive characteristics of athletes. Method: This study compared SJ performance across different knee angles...

“Developing Power is THE definitive guide to the assessment and development of this most important athletic performance quality. It will rapidly become the go-to guide for anyone aiming to improve explosive power in themselves or their athletes.” David Joyce Head of Athletic Performance for the GWS Giants (Australian Football League) “Power is a vi...

DESPITE THE HIGH METABOLIC DEMANDS OF SURFING, THE LITERATURE ON SURFERS' AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC CHARACTERISTICS IS LIMITED. PREVIOUS STUDIES HAVE USED TETHERED BOARD PADDLING, ARM CRANKING, SWIM BENCH ERGOMETERS, AND MODIFIED KAYAK ERGOMETERS TO INVESTIGATE PEAK OR MAXIMAL AEROBIC CAPACITY. THIS REVIEW INCLUDES RESEARCH INVESTIGATING SURFING-RELATE...

This study investigated the correlations with anthropometry, upper extremity strength, and surfboard paddling performance in recreational and competitive surfers. Twenty-nine recreational and competitive male surfers were assessed for height, mass, relative arm span, relative seated height, relative biacromial width, and skinfolds (Sum7). The upper...

Objectives: Evaluate the validity of a commercially available wearable device, the Vert, for measuring vertical displacement and jump count in volleyball athletes. Propose a potential method of quantifying external load during training and match play within this population. Design: Validation study. Methods: The ability of the Vert device to m...

Surfing consists of both high and low intensity paddling of varying durations, utilizing both the aerobic and anaerobic systems. Surf specific physiological studies lack adequate group sample sizes and VO2peak values are yet to determine differences between competitive and recreational surfers. The purpose of this study was therefore to provide a c...

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of contextual game factors on activity and physiological profiles of International-level women's Rugby Sevens players. Methods: Twenty international-level female Rugby Sevens players from the same national team participated in this study. Global positioning system and heart rate data were collected at five World...

This study examined the relationship between changes in tackling ability, and muscular strength and power, during a semi-professional rugby league competitive season. Twelve semi-professional rugby league players (mean ± SD age, 23.3 ± 2.0 yr) underwent tests of upper- and lower-body strength and power during the preseason period. Tackling ability...

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the influence that improvements in UB closed kinetic chain (CKC) maximal strength have on surfboard paddling in both competitive and recreational surfers. Methods: Seventeen competitive and recreational male surfers (29.7 ± 7.7 years, 177.4 ± 7.4cm, 76.7 ± 9.9kg) participated in a repeated measures parallel...

Despite the increased professionalism and substantial growth of surfing worldwide, there is limited information available to practitioners and coaches in terms of key performance analytics that are common in other field based sports. Indeed, research analyzing surfing performance is limited to a few studies examining male surfers' heart rates, surf...

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the gender differences in physical performance characteristics of elite surfers. Twenty competitive female surfers (CFS) and twenty competitive male surfers (CMS) performed a battery of physical performance tests: squat Jump (SJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), 15m-sprint paddle and 400m-endur...

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of sprint interval training (SIT; 10 s) and high intensity interval training (HIT; 30 s) on surfing athletes paddling performance (400m time trial and repeat sprint paddle performance). Methods: Twenty four competitive adolescent surfers (19 male, 5 female, age=14.4 ± 1.3 y, mass: 50.1...

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether any relationships were present between lower-body muscle structure and, lower-body strength, variables measured during a countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ), and eccentric leg stiffness, in adolescent athletes. Thirty junior male (n = 23) and female (n = 7) surfing athletes (14.8...

The purpose of this study was to investigate two different resistancetraining interventions (unstable or stable) on strength, power, and sensorimotor abilities in adolescent surfers. Ten competitive female and male high school surfers were assessed before and after each of 2 × 7-week training intervention, using a within-subjects cross-over study d...

In unpublished research by Meir et al. (2011) it was reported that approximately a quarter of all surfers indicated that they “never” drank additional fluids before surfing. Given the length of time typically spent in the water surfing, and the physical effort produced, the need for adequate levels of hydration prior to entering the water cannot be...

Purpose: To identify whether there were any significant differences in the lower-body muscle structure, and countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) performance between stronger and weaker surfing athletes. Methods: Twenty elite male surfers had their lower-body muscle structure assessed with ultrasonography, and completed a series of lowe...

Background: Thoracic mobility in the sagittal and horizontal planes are key requirements in the sport of surfing; however to date the normal values of these movements have not yet been quantified in a surfing population. Objectives: To develop a reliable method to quantify thoracic mobility in the sagittal plane; to assess the reliability of an...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether any significant associations were present between lower-body strength and power and the performance of turning and aerial manoeuvres in elite surfing athletes. Eighteen competitive male surfers performed a battery of physical tests (countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and isometric mid-thi...

This study aimed to describe the impact forces, accelerations and ankle range of motion in five different landing tasks that are used in training and testing for competitive surfing athletes, to assist coaches in the prescription of landing task progression and monitoring training load. Eleven competitive surfing athletes aged 24 ± 7 years particip...

Purpose: To investigate the physical qualities that differentiated playing minutes in international-level women's Rugby Sevens players. Methods: Twenty-four national-level female Rugby Sevens players underwent measurements of anthropometry, acceleration, speed, lower- and upper-body strength, lower-body power and aerobic fitness. Playing minutes...

This study examined the influence of a strength and power program on tackling ability in rugby league players. Twenty-four semi-professional rugby league players (mean ± SD age, 23.4 ± 3.1 yr) underwent tests of upper-body strength (3 repetition maximum [RM] bench press), lower-body strength (3RM squat), upper-body power (plyometric push-up) and lo...

Upper extremity (UE) pressing and pulling strength are vital for success in many sports. Therefore, testing UE strength is considered an integral component of a complete athletic testing profile. Although open kinetic chain (OKC) UE strength tests and associated protocols are common, closed kinetic chain (CKC) UE tests are less so. Hence it is wort...

Investigation into effects of maximal strength training on paddling performance variables in competitive and recreational surfers.

This study examined the relationships between tackling ability, playing position, muscular strength and power qualities, and match-play tackling performance in semi-professional rugby league players. Sixteen semi-professional rugby league players (mean ± SD age, 23.8 ± 1.9 yr) underwent tests for muscular strength and power. Tackling ability of the...

This study develops and evaluates a multi-factorial model, based on landing performance, to estimate injury risk for surfing athletes. Five measures were collected from 78 competitive surfing athletes and then used to create a model to serve as a screening tool for landing tasks and potential injury risk. In the second part of the study, the model...

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether any relationships were present between lower-body muscle structure and strength and power qualities. Fifteen elite male surfing athletes performed a battery of lower-body strength and power tests, including; countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), and ha...

There are an estimated 37 million surfers worldwide, with 2.5 million recreational surfers in Australia. The recreational activity and sport of surfing has grown dramatically since the 1960s, but scientific research has been poorly mirrored in comparison with most other mainstream sports. To identify the incidence, severity, location, type, and mec...

he study compared scores obtained by the 10 highest and lowest ranked athletes on the men’s 2013 World Championship Tour (WCT) of surfing. Significant differences (p < .001) were identified between the two groups’ average wave scores, average total scores, and total heats competed. In addition, the average standard deviation (± SD) of each surfer’s...

This study investigated the relationship between muscular strength and power and tackling ability in semi-professional rugby league players. Thirty-six semi-professional (mean +/- SD age, 23.1 +/- 3.6 years) rugby league players, from three distinct playing divisions (first grade, second grade, and Under 20's), underwent tests of upper-body strengt...

Speed is considered to be a highly valuable ability in rugby union. One unique aspect of rugby is that players need to be effective at sprinting while carrying a rugby ball. Previous research reported that amateur club players were slower while sprinting with the ball, than without. The purpose of the current research was to examine how sprinting w...

The study compared scores obtained by the 10 highest and lowest ranked athletes on the men’s 2013 World Championship Tour (WCT) of surfing. Significant differences (p < .001) were identified between the two groups’ average wave scores, average total scores, and total heats competed. In addition, the average standard deviation (± SD) of each surfer’...

Change of direction (COD) and agility require the integration of multiple components to produce a faster performance. However, the mechanisms contributing to a faster performance without the confounding factor of athlete expertise or gender is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess body composition, strength and kinet...

The present study aimed to determine whether any meaningful change in a surfer's sprint paddling ability and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance developed following a two hour surfing training session, and also, whether any physical demands of the surfing session were related to the resultant changes in the capacities. Fifteen competitive male s...

Competitive surfing includes high-risk manoeuvres, such as aerials, that require landing from height onto the water surface, absorbing high loads through the lower limbs. The injuries reported during aerial manoeuvres have been mainly located in the knee and ankle joints; however, there is a lack of information about the types and mechanisms of the...

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a drop and stick (DS) test method and to assess dynamic postural control in senior elite (SE), junior elite (JE), and junior development (JD) surfers. Nine SE, 22 JE, and 17 JD competitive surfers participated in a single testing session. The athletes completed five drop and stick trials barefoo...

THE EXERCISE TECHNIQUE FOR THE SINGLE-LEG SQUAT AND THE ASSOCIATED PROGRESSIONS ARE OUTLINED IN THIS ARTICLE. FIVE PROGRESSIONS ARE DESCRIBED, WITH INFORMATION PROVIDED TO ASSIST THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH TO SELECT THE BEST MODALITY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE.

Sprinting speed and lower body power are considered to be key physical abilities for rugby players. A method of improving the lower body power of athletes is simulated hypergravity. This method involves wearing a weighted vest at all times during the day for an extended period of time. There are no studies that have examined the effect of hypergrav...

In competitive surfing, the choice of, and ability to perform different manoeuvres are crucial for the score outcome. Summarised information about manoeuvres, their frequency and scoring could help coaches and athletes to make the right decisions regarding which manoeuvre to choose, if conditions allow, during a competition heat. All waves from the...

It has previously been reported that there are trends for height and mass in rugby players to be greater with higher levels of competition and historical increases over time are greater than the rates of increase seen in the normal population. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of height and mass on performance in international...

Purpose: To evaluate whether the dynamic strength index (DSI: ballistic peak force/isometric peak force) could be effectively used to guide specific training interventions and detect training-induced changes in maximal and ballistic strength. Methods: Twenty-four elite male athletes were assessed in the isometric bench press and a 45% 1-repetiti...

Purpose: To determine whether a previously validated performance-testing protocol for competitive surfers is able to differentiate between Australian elite junior surfers selected (S) to the national team and those not selected (NS). Methods: Thirty-two elite male competitive junior surfers were divided into 2 groups (S=16, NS=16). Their age, he...

Only two studies have reported on chronic musculoskeletal surfing injuries. They found over half of the injuries were non-musculoskeletal, but did not consider mechanisms of injury. This study identified the location, type, and mechanisms of chronic injury in Australian recreational and competitive surfers using a cross-sectional retrospective obse...

Research has often examined the relationship between one or two measures of strength and change of direction (COD) ability reporting inconsistent relationships to performance. These inconsistences may be the result of the strength assessment utilized and the assumption that one measure of strength can represent all "types" of strength required duri...

Research has often examined the relationship between one or two measures of strength and change of direction (COD) ability reporting inconsistent relationships to performance. These inconsistences may be the result of the strength assessment utilized and the assumption that one measure of strength can represent all “types” of strength required duri...

Research has often examined the relationship between one or two measures of strength and change of direction (COD) ability reporting inconsistent relationships to performance. These inconsistencies may be the result of the strength assessment utilized and the assumption that one measure of strength can represent all “types” of strength required dur...