Determinants of kayak paddling performance applicated to the improvement of kayak technique.

1. Application to paddling technique

2.  Successful kayak paddling requires a
powerful and skilful paddler with an
appropriately designed kayak and blade to
effectively maximize power to provide
forward propulsion and minimize negative
drag forces.
 It is important to determinate the distance of
competition. It is not the same 1000m and
5000m.

3.  The main objetive of the paddler’s power
output is maintaining the kayak’s constant
velocity.
 Power=drag force x kayak velocity
 Power required from the paddler is
proportional to the kayak velocity cubed.

4.  Biomechanical effects on performance
◦ During each stroke, the kayak has a fluctuating
velocity due to the dynamic movement of the
paddler.
◦ During pull phase, the paddle is drawn through the
water, creating a force greater than the drag forces
(air and water resistance).
◦ Between strokes, the drag acts to slow the kayak
down.
◦ Speed=propulsive effort – drag forces.

5.  Drag
◦ Aerodynamic and hydrodynamic
◦ This forces decelerate the kayaks as it passes semi-submerged
through the water.
◦ The total drag force acting on the kayaker can be expressed by
the following equation: FTD=FHD + FAD
◦ FTD= total drag force, FHD=hydrodynamic drag force,
FAD=aerodynamic drag force
◦ We can’t forget friction of surface drag, the pressure drag force
and the wave drag force:
◦ FTD=FHDf + FHDp + FHDw
◦ FHDf=hydrodynamic friction drag force, FHDp=hydrodynamic
pressure drag force, FHDw=hydrodynamic wave drag force.

6.  Paddle force
◦ The paddle acts to transmit the water-on-blade forces from the
paddler and hence from the kayak via the footbar and seat.
Fx=force in x-direction, Fy=force in y-direction,
Fr=resultant force application

7.  Forces at the footbar and seat
◦ During kayak paddling, power is transferred to the kayak through
the application of forces against a footbar and seat.
Ffootbar, Fseat and Fpaddle are forces
applied to the footbar, seat and paddle.
mpaddler and apaddler are the mass
and acceleration of the paddler.
mkayakd and akayak are the mass and
Acceleration of the kayak.

8.  Analysis of kinematic variables provides a description of the
movement, without reference to the forces that cause the
movement.
 Paddler and paddle movement
◦ Movements of the blade can be divided as: the catch, the
pull, the exit and the recovery.
◦ The stroke began with the paddler entering the blade
forward and close to the longitudinal axis of the kayak.
◦ The stroke side leg has to push against the footbar.
◦ The blade moves backwards and laterally until the instant
of exit phase.
◦ At the same time, stroke side knee and hip are extended to
help drive the hip backwards and produce torso rotation.

9.  Kayak movement
◦ During a stroke, a simultaneous shifting of body mass
occurs to keep the kayak laterally stable.
◦ While paddler attempts to extend the paddle forward, the
kayaker’s centre of gravity is moving faster than the boat.
Then, the kayaker’s centre of gravity velocity is reduced
and remains constant.
◦ Changes in body centre of gravity and kayak velocity cause
unwanted movement that decreases kayak velocity and
efficiency.
◦ Any acceleration by the large mass of the paddler (friction
increasing) will result in a reaction in the boat, causing
losing of speed.

10.  Kendal, S. J., and Sanders, R. H. (1992). The technique
of elite flatwater kayak paddlers using the wing paddle.
International Journal of Sport Biomechanics, 8, 233–250.
 Michael, J., Rooney, K., and Smith, R. (2008). The
metabolic demands of kayaking: A review. Journal of
Sports Science and Medicine, 7, 1–7.
 Sanders, R. H., and Baker, J. D. (1998). Evolution of
technique in flatwater kayaking. In V. Issurin (Ed.),
Science and practice of canoe/kayak high-performance
training (pp. 67–81). Tel Aviv: Elite Sport Department of
Israel.
 Sanders, R. H., and Kendal, S. J. (1992). A description of
Olympic flatwater kayak stroke technique. Australian
Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24, 25–30.