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Anthropometric-based selection and sprint kayak training in children
1Performance Enhancement Centre, Queensland Academy of Sport, Woolloongabba, Australia.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|October 2, 1998
Summary
Twelve weeks of kayak training improved performance in children. However, favorable anthropometric characteristics did not enhance sprint kayak improvements in this group.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Pediatric Exercise Physiology
- Talent Identification in Sports
Background:
- Elite sprint kayakers possess unique anthropometric characteristics.
- Understanding how these characteristics influence training adaptations in youth is crucial for talent development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of specific anthropometric characteristics on training response in young kayakers.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week kayak training program on performance metrics.
Main Methods:
- Screened 234 children to select 20 (10 with, 10 without elite anthropometric traits).
- Administered a 12-week kayak training program.
- Assessed performance via 2-minute kayak ergometer tests (oxygen consumption, lactate, work) and 500m time trials.
Main Results:
- All participants improved in both ergometer and time trial tests.
- Boys with favorable anthropometrics showed greater improvement in the 2-minute ergometer test only.
- No significant difference in 500m time trial improvement between groups.
Conclusions:
- Intensive kayak training for 12 weeks did not significantly alter on-water sprint performance improvement rates in children selected by elite anthropometric data.
- Anthropometric characteristics may influence specific physiological adaptations but not necessarily overall sprint kayak performance development in youth over this training period.