Abstract
Due to the recent introduction of the 200 m in sprint kayak racing, there is very little literature addressing the physiological factors associated with performance and training in this event. Therefore this study investigated the physiological demands of 200 m racing and the efficacy of specific physical training. Measurement of the physiological responses of 10 well trained male kayakers to a 200 m kayaking trial revealed a mean (±S.D) peak VO2 of 3.33±0.46 L min-1 and peak post-exercise blood lactate concentrations of 6.7±1.7 mmol-L-1. The results demonstrated that the 200 m event imposes substantial demands upon the rate at which the kayaker can utilise both aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways. So that the physiological characteristics of kayakers could be established using laboratory procedures, the reliability and validity of a kayak ergometry system was examined. Repeated trials of supramaximal exercise revealed that this apparatus was highly reproducible for the assessment of peak power (CV = 2.2±2.1%) and total work (CV = 1.4±1.2%). A comparison of the physiological responses to kayak ergometry with those of open water kayaking indicated that the ergometry system accurately imposed the physiological demands of open water kayaking. Subsequently, the physiological and anthropometric attributes of 39 male kayakers were determined through a battery of laboratory tests; the relationships of these with 200 m performance identified specific performance influencing factors. Most closely associated with 200 m performance were total work done in a modified Wingate test (r = -0.80, p < 0.001) and the peak power achieved in this test (r = -0.76, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the most accurate prediction of 200 m performance was provided by a combination of aerobic and anaerobic factors, with the power output at the lactate threshold and the total work performed in the modified Wingate test accounting for 70% of the variance in performance (SEE = 1.70 sec). In addition, total work in the Wingate test and forced vital capacity could accurately discriminate between kayakers of disparate standards in 77% of cases. Finally, the efficacy of a specific training programme, based on the findings of the previous experiments, was examined. Although no significant differences were found between the intervention and control training groups, it was concluded that scientific data relating to the physiological demands of 200 m kayaking could be interpreted for the prescription of specific physical training.