Stroke parameter analysis during a competiton distance (200 m) in canoe sprint on an ergometer and on water

Canoe sprint is a specific type of sport (under natural conditions, it
takes place on water); therefore, a large part of research is carried out
under laboratory conditions, when the load is performed on various special
exercise machines (ergometers) that try to simulate natural conditions as
closely as possible. Thus, one of the fields of research in canoe sprint is the
mutual correlation of various indicators – kinematic, physiological and
biomechanical – under natural conditions of the sport and under laboratory
conditions. Although research have been carried out in the relevant
direction, they did not consider specific direct differences in the power of a
stroke and stroke parameters when paddling on an ergometer compared to
paddling on water. A precise comparison of these differences would provide
an opportunity to describe the differences in the characteristics of a full
stroke and brace (water phase) when paddling on water and on an
ergometer in canoe sprint, simulating a 200m competition distance. The
research subject was a European and World championships medallist, – 25
years of age, height – 191.4cm, weight – 99.1kg. In order to obtain stroke
parameters during a 200 m competition distance under natural conditions
on water and under laboratory conditions while paddling on an ergometer,
two experiments were carried out – a field experiment and a laboratory
experiment (the two experiments included pulsometry, blood biochemical
analysis and dynamometry). There were large percentage differences found
among the time parameters of a stroke: when paddling on water, the
duration of the unsupported phase was 44.8% shorter (0.08s), and when
paddling on an ergometer, the duration of the brace phase was 29.8% longer (0.1s). The total duration of a stroke on water was on average 5%
longer (0.02s). This indicates the different nature of the load, as the time in
which muscles must be able to perform the maximum transfer of force and
power per unit of time is 1/10 longer on water; this, in turn, suggests that
coaches need to take these differences into account when preparing
athletes; - in athletic training, the parameters of a stroke performed on
water should be taken as the basis for the duration of muscle work.