This work follows previous research in the field which investigated the comparison of two types of paddling. These studies, however, focused on the similarity of kayaking and trainers, more precisely ergometers, that are used by racers during their training in the winter. However, the results of these studies indicate a significant difference in muscle involvement. Aim of Study: The aim of this study is to describe and to compare the muscle activation of the kayak forward stroke performed in a pool with an opposite/counter current and on flat/calm water. Material and Methods: The research was conducted via a selected sample of eight kayakers (subjects) who had attained a high level of performance in whitewater slalom. We observed the activity of twelve selected muscles used during the kayak forward stroke performed in a counterflow pool and on flat water by means of surface electromyography and kinematic analysis. Study results point to effects in relation to intraindividual and subsequently inter-individual muscle timing and the size of the muscle activation due to maximal voluntary contraction. We used comparative analysis and the data were measured by surface electromyography and 2D video-analysis. Results: The results proved equal timing of muscles in a counterflow pool and on flat water. The muscle activity in the counterflow pool was bigger than on flat water. Conclusion: From our results we can recommend a pool which makes use of a counter current as a replacement training tool. Compared with other training devices which might be used (such as, crank ergometers, paddling trainers, and paddling pools), this kind of training device gives the kayaker one great advantage. It is the fact that the kayaker has the same placement of the fixed point and the preservation of the feeling of grasping water.
Purpose. Recently engineered Canadian Single (C-1) canoe hull designs have been found to produce less resistive drag than the traditional Delta design in tow tank test conditions. If these laboratory findings were found to be similar to on-water performance tests, then these new hull designs could give canoe sprint athletes a competitive advantage. However, these claims have not been independently confirmed nor has it been shown that these new designs result in improved performance under race conditions. Three C-1 hull designs (traditional Delta and the recently engineered Armageddon and Ergo-Starlight) were compared in order to detect differences in C-1 boat dynamics. Methods. The C-1 canoes were propelled by eleven national- and international-class paddlers who performed 350-m all-out trials from a dead start in each of the three crafts. One-way ANOVA compared differences in means for individual 50-meter segment and 350-meter performance times. Results. Performance times over the 350-meter race simulations were significantly faster (p = 0.038) among international-class paddlers with the Armageddon and Ergo-Starlight designs compared with the Delta. Conclusions. International level canoeists should expect improved performance times by choosing the Armageddon and Ergo-Starlight versus the Delta-designed C-1.
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