Increased Liveliness of Trunk Muscle Responses in Elite Kayakers and Canoeists.

Andrej Kocjan,Nejc Šarabon

doi:10.3390/sports8060078

Andrej Kocjan, Nejc Šarabon

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8060078

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Abstract

Trunk stability functions play an important role in sport and everyday movements. The aim of this study was to analyze trunk strength, trunk muscles onset of activity, and rate of electromyographic rise (RER) in the case of self-inflicted and unexpected trunk loading. Thirty-two healthy young adults (16 elite kayakers/canoeists and 16 non-athletes) were measured with a multi-purpose diagnostic machine. Trunk strength was assessed in standing position. Trunk muscles onset of activity and RER were assessed through unexpected loading over the hands and rapid shoulder flexion, respectively. In comparison with non-athletes, kayakers/canoeists did not significantly differ in trunk strength and showed lower trunk extension/flexion strength ratio (p = 0.008). In general, trunk muscles onset of activity did not significantly differ between the groups. On the contrary, kayakers/canoeists showed higher RER mean values in all the observed muscles (p < 0.041), except in multifidus muscle during self-inflicted movements. Similarly, higher RER variability was observed in the majority of the observed muscles among kayakers/canoeists. Higher RER among kayakers/canoeists could represent a protective mechanism that ensures spine stability and prevents low back pain.

Highlights

Elite athletes who compete in agility-based sports demonstrate greater strength and power outputs than endurance trained athletes or non-athletes [1]
The study was cross sectional, where we investigated trunk stability of elite kayakers/canoeists and physically inactive subjects
We hypothesized that long-term wild water kayak/canoe practice increases strength of trunk muscle groups as measured per trunk maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVC) in frontal and sagittal planes and improves trunk stability responses

Summary

Introduction

Elite athletes who compete in agility-based sports demonstrate greater strength and power outputs than endurance trained athletes or non-athletes [1]. Kayaking/canoeing is an upper body sport where the result is largely affected by paddlers’ ability to control four boat movements (center bouncing, end bouncing, snaking, and rocking) [2]. The efficiency of paddling and balancing during unstable sitting/kneeling largely depend from trunk strength and stability. Both mentioned abilities are functionally important because of the energy transfer from the trunk to lower and upper extremities. Inappropriate inter-muscular coordination (in temporal, intensity, or special domain of muscle activation), due to impaired trunk muscles onset of activity or rate of torque development, can result in poor energy transfer between the lower and upper extremities or spinal injury [3]. An adequate strength ratio between trunk extensors and flexors prevents future low back pain (LPB) [3], which is increasing among young athletes and adolescents [4]

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