Physiological predictors of flat-water kayak performance in women

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between selected p hysiological variables and 500-m flat-water kayak (K-500) performance. Nine female, high-performance kayak paddlers, mean (SD) age 23 (5) years, parti cipated in this investigation. Testing was conducted over 6 days and includ ed anthropometric measurements (height, body mass and skinfolds), an increm ental test to determine both peak (V) over dot O-2 and the "anaerobic thres hold" (Th-an), and a 2-min, all-out test to calculate accumulated oxygen de ficit (AOD). Blood lactate concentrations were measured during the incremen tal test and at the completion of both tests. Subjects also completed a K-5 00 race under competition conditions. K-500 time was significantly correlat ed with both peak (V) over dot O-2 (r = -0.82, P < 0.05) and the power outp ut achieved at the end of the incremental test (r = -0.75, P < 0.05). Howev er, the variable most strongly correlated with K-500 time was Th-an (r = -0 .89, P < 0.05). A stepwise multiple regression, for which r = 0.95 and the standard error of estimate = 1.6 s, yielded the following equation: K(500)t ime(s)= 160.6-0.154 x AOD . kg(-1) -0.250 x Th-an. In conclusion, the resul ts of this study have demonstrated that although K-500 performance is a pre dominantly aerobic activity, it does require a large anaerobic contribution . The importance of both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems is reflec ted by the K-500 time being best predicted by a linear combination of Th-an and AOD . kg(-1). This suggests the need to develop and implement training programmes that develop optimally both of these physiological attributes. Further research is required to elucidate the most effective means by which to develop both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.