Heart rate response and energy cost of log rolling

Abstract

Log rolling vvas once a sport found only at traditional lumberjack competitions, but now has evolved into a recreational physical activity available to the public. The advent of the Key Log� has made this possible. The Key Log� is a synthetic log, whicl1 can be filled with water and has three removable paddles that help to govern rolling speed. 1"he purpose of this study was to determine relative exercise intensity and caloric expenditure of log rollers using the Key Log�. Nineteen novice (n=7) and elite (n=12) log rollers completed up to seven rounds of log rolling dependi11g on their ability. The seven rolling conditions were: 1) Key Log� with three paddles, 2) Key Log� with two paddles, 3) Key Log� with one paddle, 4) Key Log� with no paddles, 5) Key Log� against another participant, 6) cedar log, and 7) cedar log against another participant. Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (V02), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were recorded. It was fou11d that HR was between 69o/o a11d 91 % of predicted max HR and caloric expenditure was betwee11 6.2 and 10.3 kcal per minute depending on rolling condition and roller ability. These results indicate tl1at log rolling on the Key Log� meets American College of Sports Medicine criteria for i1nproving cardiorespiratory endurance and can potentially affect body composition.