INSIGHT: BOOST YOUR PROPRIOCEPTION NATURALLY WITH SUP SESSIONS

Regular SUP sessions can significantly enhance your posture, functional stability, and movement coordination.

What is proprioception?

Proprioception is the body's ability to perceive its position, movements, and balance in space through receptors located in the muscles, joints, and skin. It enables the coordination of movements and the maintenance of stability without needing to lookk. This sense is essential for daily activities and, naturally, for SUP, which requires constant adjustments to stay balanced on the board.

SUPers: Laury and Enzo, GONG staff, with complete First Allround packs.

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) is an activity that strongly engages proprioception. Here's how this discipline stimulates and improves proprioception:

Dynamic balance training

On an unstable board, especially on water, the body is constantly exposed to small disruptions caused by wave movement, wind, or changes in posture. These disruptions force the stabilizer muscles (especially those in the ankles, knees, and core) to contract quickly in order to restore balance.

This engages the proprioceptive system, which uses sensory receptors located in the joints, muscles, and tendons to detect changes in position and adjust accordingly.

SUPers: Vilayta and Moritz, GONG team riders, with a Zero FSP Pro SUP and NFA FSP 2X.

Engagement of the core and stabilizing muscles

SUP particularly engages the core muscles (abdominals, obliques, and lower back) to maintain an upright and stable posture on the board.

The subtle adjustments needed to stay standing activate deep muscles (such as the paravertebral muscles and the transverse abdominis), which play a key role in proprioception.

Coordination and synchronization

SUP requires synchronization between the movements of the arms (for paddling) and maintaining balance with the legs.

This coordination stimulates proprioception by forcing the brain to integrate real-time information from different parts of the body.

SUPer: Moritz, GONG team rider, with an inflatable board I-SUP Race Flat Water.

Adaptation to micro-adjustments

Each micro-movement of the board requires an immediate, often unconscious, response from the body to prevent falling.

These frequent and repeated adjustments strengthen the communication between proprioceptive receptors and the central nervous system, thereby enhancing overall balance and stability.

Enhancement of visual and vestibular proprioception

In addition to the body's receptors, SUP engages:

The visual system: Eyes constantly analyze the horizon and the water surface to anticipate movements.
The vestibular system: Located in the inner ear, it manages the perception of balance and the body's position in space.

SUPers: Marine and Martin, GONG staff, each with a First Cruising pack and GONG Dry Bags.

Conclusion

Simply getting on the water, on a local body of water near you, allows you to work on proprioception. When practiced regularly, SUP has a beneficial impact on: