title: Prediction of 200-m sprint kayaking performance.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and physiological profile of 200-m sprint kayakers and to examine relationships with 200-m race performance. Twenty-six male kayakers who were categorised in two ability groups, international (Int) and national (Nat) level, underwent a battery of anthropometric and physiological tests and a 200-m race. Race time was significantly lower in Int than Nat (39.9 +/- 0.8 s and 42.6 +/- 0.9 s, respectively). Int demonstrated significantly greater measures of mesomorphy, biepycondylar humeral breadth, circumferences of the upper arm, forearm and chest, peak power and total work in a modified Wingate test, total work in a 2-min ergometry test, peak isokinetic power, and peak isometric force. Significant relationships were found between 200-m time and a number of anthropometric variables and anaerobic and dynamometric parameters. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that total work in the modified Wingate alone predicted 200-m race time (R2 = 0.53, SEE = 1.11 s) for all 26 subjects, while biepycondylar humeral breadth alone predicted race time (R2 = 0.54, SEE = 0.52 s) in Int. These results demonstrate that superior upper body dimensions and anaerobic capacities distinguish international-level kayakers from national-level athletes and may be used to predict 200-m performance.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 2EE, UK.
authors.forename: Ken A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: van Someren
authors.forename: Garry S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D000886:Anthropometry; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012767:Ships; D013177:Sports; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors