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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Review
article
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THE METABOLIC DEMANDS OF KAYAKING: A REVIEW |
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Jacob S. Michael  ,
Kieron B. Rooney and Richard Smith |
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School of Exercise and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sydney University, Australia. |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2008) 7, 1-7 Search Google Scholar for Citing Articles |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| Flat-water kayaking is one of the best-known competitive canoeing
disciplines in Australia and across the European countries. From a stationary
start, paddlers are required to paddle their kayaks with maximal effort
along the length of the competing distance. The ultimate criterion of kayak
performance is the time taken to paddle a designated competition distance.
In flat-water racing, events are contested over 500 and 1000 metres. To
approximate the ultimate criterion over these distances, the velocity of
the kayak should be measured. Furthermore, other factors that affect performance,
such as force, power, technique and aerobic fitness, would all provide a
valuable insight to the success of the kayak paddler. Specific research
performed examining the physiological demands on kayak paddlers demonstrate
high levels of both aerobic power and anaerobic capacity. It is the purpose
if this review to present the published physiological data relating to men's
and women's kayaking. With a number of recent publications, a need for an
updated review is necessary. The present review summarises recent data on
anthropometrics, physiological characteristics of successful and unsuccessful
kayak athletes and methods of physiological testing. Due to the fact that
more data have been reported for male competitors than for their female
counterparts, the demands of kayaking on male athletes will be the main
focus for this review. The review also suggests areas for future research
into flatwater kayaking performance. Understanding the physiological requirements
of kayaking can assist coaches and athletes in a number of ways. During
competition or training, such information is helpful in the selection of
appropriate protocols and metabolic indices to monitor an athlete's performance
improvements and assess an athlete's suitability for a particular race distance.
Furthermore, it may aid the coach in the development of more specific training
programs for their athletes.
Key words: Kayak, ergometer, anthropometry, oxygen demand, aerobic power, lactate. |
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