Responses to kayak ergometer performance after kayak and bicycle ergometer training

Abstract

Ten moderately active male volunteers, age 19-30 years, completed one month of training on either a kayak or a bicycle ergometer (five men in each group). The men completed sixteen 30 minute sessions of continuous work at an intensity which maintained their HR within 85-90% of its maximum, as previously determined on the kayak ergometer. After this training period the kayak group demonstrated significant decreases in VO2, VE, HR and blood lactate in submaximal kayak ergometer work and a significant increase in VO2 during maximal kayak ergometer work. These changes contributed to a significantly higher maximal kayaking work output. The bicycle-trained group did not make any of these improvements on the kayak ergometer. However in their last training session on the bicycle ergometer they were able to work at a higher submaximal load while maintaining the same heart rate as in the first training session. It was concluded that the circulatory and metabolic adjustments to kayak work are greater with kayak training than with bicycle training.