Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the physical work demand in relation to metrics of force and subsequent physiological response to a simulated flatwater slalom competition. Eight New Zealand team members completed a standard incremental step-test to ascertain power:oxygen consumption relationship. This was followed by a simulated race run where breath-by-breath analysis along with force and power data logged at 50 Hz to determine stroke length, impulse, peak force, time to peak force, and rate of peak force per stroke. Physiological response to negotiating a flatwater slalom course was greater than straight-line paddling (36.89 ± 2.01 vs. 32.17 ± 1.97 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1, p = 0.0065) at the same power output. Mean power output for the duration of the simulated race (91.63 ± 7.19 s) was 203.8 ± 45.0 W, incurring an oxygen deficit of 1.386 ± 0.541 L⋅min-1 translating to an overall anaerobic contribution of 32 ± 18% and aerobic contribution of 68 ± 18%. Moderate to strong relationships between time duration and stroke peak force (R2 = 0.354, R2 = 0.485) and rate of peak force development (R2 = 0.345, R2 = 0.426) but not for stroke length (R2 = 0.022, R2 = 0.012), impulse (R2 = 0.088, R2 = 0.097) or time to peak force (R2 = 0.001, R2 = 0.0001) for left and right strokes, respectively. The number of propulsive (<0.6 s) strokes outweighed turning/driving (>0.6 s) strokes with a ratio of 94:6%. Longer stroke duration was significantly correlated to greater impulse (R2 = 0.507, p < 0.0001) and time to peak force (R2 = 0.851, p < 0.0001), but a lower rate of force development (R2 = 0.107, p < 0.0001). The results show that a flatwater slalom under simulated race conditions entails initial supra-maximal (anaerobic) work rate with a subsequent transition to one associated with maximal aerobic capacity. Inability to sustain work done and the subsequent decline in peak force and force profile per stroke requires further research regarding strategies to enhance performance.
Highlights
International Canoe Slalom races are defined by the rules of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), which in turn determines the technical demands and physical environment of competition, and the cognitive and physiological stresses on athletes taking part.Currently, the rules require athletes to race over a predetermined course, changing from race to race, on a section of river involving natural and artificial obstacles, where the length ranges fromPhysiological Response to Slalom Kayaking200 to 400 m down the center line of the river
Physiological variables associated with these work characteristics for the flatwater slalom equated to rate of oxygen consumption of 2.629 ± 0.498 L·min−1, oxygen deficit 1.386 ± 0.541 L·min−1, aerobic contribution 68 ± 18%, anaerobic contribution 32 ± 18%, and HR 170 ± 2 bpm
In agreement with our hypothesis the main findings were: (a) Paddling in a straight-line with no turning strokes is more efficient than negotiating a course of slalom gates; (b) Forward propulsive strokes are key to simulated race distance on flatwater; (c) Flatwater slalom is dominated by a preponderance to anaerobic respiration in the early stages and during key aspects of competition while high-intensity aerobic respiration dominates overall; (d) Driving/turning stroke force profiles differ to propulsive strokes; (e) Performance is related to the peak force, its rate of development and the corresponding slope of fatigue as the competition progresses
Summary
International Canoe Slalom races are defined by the rules of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), which in turn determines the technical demands and physical environment of competition, and the cognitive and physiological stresses on athletes taking part.Currently, the rules require athletes to race over a predetermined course, changing from race to race, on a section of river involving natural and artificial obstacles, where the length ranges fromPhysiological Response to Slalom Kayaking200 to 400 m down the center line of the river. Changes in technical regulations may explain this, there is no information available regarding the work demand or stroke kinetics during competition to corroborate such statements Such data is available for flatwater straight-line kayaking, where elite male paddlers typical propulsive stroke have durations of ∼0.44 s, generate peak forces of ∼375 N and an impulse of 109 N·s (Baker, 1998; Sperlich and Baker, 2002). Information of this nature taken from slalom paddlers during racing or simulated racing would enhance understanding of the sport whilst being invaluable in the monitoring of athlete development
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