Relationship between performance test and body composition/physical strength characteristic in sprint canoe and kayak paddlers

• Published in: Open access journal of sports medicine 2015-01, Vol.6 (default), p.191-199
• Main Authors: Hamano, Saki, Ochi, Eisuke, Tsuchiya, Yosuke, Muramatsu, Erina, Suzukawa, Kazuhiro, Igawa, Shoji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Athletes; Body composition; Body fat; Body mass index; Canoes & canoeing; Discipline; Handball; Health care; Kayaking; Original Research; Physical fitness; Physiological aspects; Rugby; Soccer; Sport science; Student athletes; Studies; Training
• ISSN: 1179-1543; 1179-1543
• DOI: 10.2147/OAJSM.S82295

Canoe sprint is divided into canoe and kayak. The difference between the two competitions is in physical performance. The aim of the present study was to compare and investigate the relationship between physical characteristics and fitness between the two canoe sprint competitors. Subjects were 11 canoe paddlers (C) and 12 kayak paddlers (K). They underwent anthropometric characteristics, body composition and fitness tests, and 120 s all-out tests using a canoe and kayak ergometer. The unpaired t-test was used to test for significant differences between disciplines, while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the association between each measurement item and the performance test. The age, height, body mass, body mass index, and total body fat were, C: 20.6±0.9 yr, 172.8±5.2 cm, 70.8±7.8 kg, 23.7±1.9, 14.4%±3.5%; and K: 19.7±1.2 yr, 172.8±5.3 cm, 69.5±7.8 kg, 23.2±2.1, 12.1%±3.6%, respectively. No significant differences were seen in any of the items for physical characteristics or fitness between C and K. A correlation analysis of performance tests and each measurement item revealed a positive correlation with low-speed isokinetic knee extension and flexion strength for C only (extension: r=0.761; flexion: r=0.784; P