Physiological Responses to Kayaking with a Swivel Seat

Abstract

The present study compared the physiological characteristics of flat-water kayaking utilising two seat conditions, the traditional fixed seat and novel swivel seat on an air-braked kayak simulator. The testing protocol included a submaximal warm up and one maximal ergometer paddling test. Ten elite kayakers (age 25±6 years, body mass 84.9±5.8 kg) were randomised to perform the testing protocol twice, once on each seat. During the testing protocol, expired air, heart rate (HR) and power output (PO) were continuously measured and gross efficiency (GE_kayak) was calculated. Lactate (La) was recorded at the conclusion of each test. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that paddling with the swivel seat generated significantly greater mean PO over the two-minute race duration compared to the fixed seat (299.1±24.9W and 279.8±19.2W respectively; p<0.05). This equated to a 6.5% increase in PO. A similar (6.9%) but non-significant difference in efficiency was generated as there was no significant difference recorded in the metabolic load over the two-minute ergometer test. No significant differences were present in any other variable measured. This greater PO generated with a swivel seat may be a significant advantage during on-water competition if the results from present ergometer test transfer.

Key words

physiology - kayaking - ergometer - swivel seat - performance

References

• 1 Aitken DA, Neal RJ. An on-water analysis system for quantifying stroke force characteristics during kayak events.  J Sports Biomech. 1992;  8 165-173
• 2 Astorino TA, Robergs RA, Ghiasvand F, Marks D, Burns S. Incidence of the oxygen plateau at VO₂max during exercise testing to volitional fatigue.  J Exerc Physiol online. 2000;  3 1-12
• 3 Billat V, Faina M, Sardella F, Marini C, Fanton F, Lupo S, Faccini P, De Angelis M, Koralsztein JP, Dalmonte A. A comparison of time to exhaustion at VO₂ max in elite cyclists, kayak paddlers, swimmers and runners.  Ergonomics. 1996;  39 267-277
• 4 Bishop D. Physiological predictors of flat-water kayak performance in women.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  82 91-97
• 5 Baudouin A, Hawkins D. Investigation of biomechanical factors affecting rowing performance.  J Biomechanics. 2004;  37 969-976
• 6 Burnley M, Doust JH, Jones AM. Time required for the restoration of normal heavy exercise VO₂ kinetics following prior heavy exercise.  J Appl Physiol. 2006;  101 1320-1327
• 7 Campagna PD, Grandy SA, Gorelick M, Robinson M. The relationship between power output and kayaking performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 S31
• 8 Coyle EF, Feltner ME, Kautz SA, Hamilton MT, Montain SJ, Baylor AM, Abraham LD, Petrek GW. Physiological and biomechanical factors associated with elite endurance cycling performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 93-107
• 9 di Prampero PE, Cortili G, Celentano F, Cerretelli P. Physiological aspects of rowing.  J Appl Physiol. 1971;  31 853-857
• 10 Doyon KH, Perrey S, Abe D, Hughson RL. Field testing of VO₂ peak in cross country skiers with a portable breath by breath system.  Can J Appl Physiol. 2001;  26 1-11
• 11 Duffield R, Dawson B, Pennington HC, Wong P. Accuracy and reliability of a cosmed K4B² portable gas analysis system.  J Sci Med Sport. 2004;  7 11-22
• 12 Fernandez B, Perez-Landaluce J, Rodriguez M, Terrados N. Metabolic contribution in Olympic kayaking events.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 s24
• 13 Fukunaga T, Matsuo A, Yamamoto K, Asami T. Mechanical efficiency in rowing.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1986;  55 471-475
• 14 Gray GL, Matherson GO, McKenzie DC. The metabolic cost of two kayaking techniques.  Int J Sports Med. 1995;  16 250-254
• 15 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
• 16 Hagerman FC, Connors MC, Gault JA, Hagerman GR, Polinski WJ. Energy expenditure during stimulated rowing.  J Appl Physiol. 1978;  45 87-93
• 17 Hahn AG, Pang PM, Tumilty DM, Telford RD. General and specific aerobic power of elite marathon kayakers and canoeists.  Excel. 1988;  5 14-19
• 18 Hofmijster MJ, Landman EHJ, Smith RM, Van Soest AJ. Effect of stroke rate on the distribution of the net mechanical power flow in rowing.  J Sports Sci. 2007;  25 403-411
• 19 Hofmijster MJ, Van Soest AJ, De Koning JJ. Rowing skill affects power loss on a modified rowing ergometer.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2008;  40 1101-1110
• 20 Hausswirth C, Bigard AX, LeChevalier JM. The Cosmed K4 telemetry system as an accurate device for oxygen uptake measurements during exercise.  Int J Sports Med. 1996;  18 449-453
• 21 Korff T, Romer LM, Mayhew I, Martin J. Effect of pedaling technique on mechanical effectiveness and efficiency in cyclists.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;  39 991-995
• 22 LaBreche JM, McKenzie. Evaluation of the Cosmed K4B² portable metabolic system during maximal exercise.  Can J Appl Physiol. 2001;  26 492-493
• 23 Larsson B, Larsen J, Modest R, Serup B, Secher NH. A new kayak ergometer based on wind resistance.  Ergonomics. 1988;  31 1701-1707
• 24 Mann RV, Kearney JT. A biomechanical analysis of the Olympic-style flatwater kayak stroke.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1980;  12 183-188
• 25 McLaughlin J, King G, Howley E, Bassett D, Ainsworth B. Validation of the Cosmed K4b² portable metabolic system.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  31 280-284
• 26 Michael JS, Rooney KB, Smith R. The metabolic demands of kayaking: A review.  J Sports Sci Med. 2008;  7 1-7
• 27 Michael JS, Smith R, Rooney KB. Determinants of kayak paddling performance.  Sports Biomech. 2009;  8 167-179
• 28 Pinnington HC, Wong P, Tay J, Green D, Dawson B. The level of accuracy and agreement in measures of FE O₂, FE CO₂ and VE between a Cosmed K4B² portable respiratory gas analysis system and a metabolic cart.  J Sci Med Sport. 2001;  4 324-335
• 29 Plagenhoef S. (ed) Patterns of Human Movement – A Cinematographic Analysis.. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice-Hall Inc; 1971
• 30 Secher NH. Physiological and biomechanical aspects of rowing: Implications for training.  Sport Med. 1993;  15 24-41
• 31 Shephard RJ. Science and medicine of rowing: A review.  J Sport Sci. 1998;  16 603-620
• 32 Smith RM, Loschner C. Net power production and performance at different stroke rates and abilities during pair-oared rowing. Proceedings of the XVIII international symposium on biomechanics in sport, Hong Kong.  The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 2000;  1 340-343
• 33 Spencer MR, Gastin PB. Energy system contribution during 200- to 1500-m running in highly trained athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 157-162
• 34 Spencer MR, Gastin PB, Payne WR. Energy system contribution during 400- to 1500-metres running.  New Stud Athletics. 1996;  11 59-65
• 35 Tesch P, Piehl K, Wilson G, Karlsson J. Physiological investigations of Swedish elite canoe competitors.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1976;  8 214-218
• 36 Tesch PA. Physiological characteristics of elite kayak paddlers.  Can J Appl Sport Sci. 1983;  8 87-91
• 37 van Someren KA, Phillips GR, Palmer GS. Comparison of physiological responses to open water kayaking and kayak ergometry.  Int J Sport Med. 2000;  21 200-204
• 38 Vrijens J, Hoekstra P, Bouckaert J, Van Uytvanck P. Effect of training on maximal working capacity and hemodynamic response during arm and leg exercise in a group of paddlers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1975;  34 113-119
• 39 Weber CL, Schneider DA. Reliability of MAOD measured at 110% and 120% of peak oxygen uptake for cycling.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1056-1059
• 40 Yamamoto M, Kamehisa H. Dynamics of anaerobic and aerobic energy supplies during sustained high intensity exercise on cycle ergometer.  Eur J App Physiol. 1995;  71 320-325
• 41 Zamparo P, Capelli C, Guerrini G. Energetics of kayaking at submaximal and maximal speeds.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;  80 542-548

Correspondence