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The metabolic cost of two kayaking techniques
G L Gray1, G O Matheson, D C McKenzie
1Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Wash riding in kayak races significantly reduces energy expenditure. Elite paddlers experienced lower minute ventilation, oxygen consumption, and heart rate when wash riding compared to non-wash riding.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Wash riding is a common tactic in flatwater kayak and canoe racing.
- This technique involves drafting behind a leading boat's wake.
- It is hypothesized to be an energy-saving maneuver, similar to drafting in cycling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological effects of wash riding in elite male kayak paddlers.
- To determine if wash riding offers significant metabolic savings during steady-state exercise.
Main Methods:
- Ten elite male kayak paddlers participated in the study.
- Measurements included minute ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), and oxygen consumption (VO2).
- Data were collected using a portable telemetric metabolic system under wash riding (WR) and non-wash riding (NWR) conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for VE, VO2, and HR between WR and NWR trials.
- Mean VE was lower in WR (113 ± 16.5 l/min) than NWR (126.3 ± 15.7 l/min).
- Mean VO2 was lower in WR (3.22 ± 0.32 l/min) than NWR (3.63 ± 0.3 l/min), and mean HR was lower in WR (167 ± 9.9 bpm) than NWR (174 ± 8.0 bpm).
Conclusions:
- Wash riding in kayak paddling provides substantial metabolic savings at tested speeds.
- These findings have implications for optimizing training programs and competitive strategies in flatwater kayak racing.