title: Is passive drag dependent on the interaction of kayak design and paddler weight in flat-water kayaking?
abstract: Drag is one of the major factors that influences kayaking performance. To focus on the drag of the kayak's hull shape and the paddlers' weight per se, the passive drag (Dp) was measured on a flat-water sprint course for one paddler with added weights. Dp was measured by an electromechanical towing device using a load cell, at incremental and constant velocities from 2.78 to 5.56 m/s. Three kayaks of different sizes and shapes (Nelo® K1 Quattro-M, ML, and L) were used and the paddlers' body weight was adjusted with weights so the total paddler weight in the kayak was 65, 75, and 85 kg. The mean Dp increased by the power function of D = kv(n) (mean R(2) = .990; SD .006). The Dp went from 21.37 ± 1.29 N at 2.78 m/s to 89.32 ± 6.43 N at 5.56 m/s. For the two lighter weighted kayaks (65 and 75 kg), the lowest Dp was observed with different kayak sizes (M, ML, or L) depending on the target velocity. The manufacturers suggest that paddlers should select a kayak size according to their body weight to minimise drag; however, the results of this study suggest that target velocities, and thus competition distance should also be factored into kayak selection.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sports , Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Beatriz B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sports , Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipe A V
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Conceição
authors.affiliation: b School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Center for Research and Education in Special Environments, Department of Physiology , University at Buffalo , Buffalo , NY , USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Pendergast
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Health Sciences, Exercise and Sport Science , The University of Sydney , Lidcombe , NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Ross H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: d Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (INEGI), Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP) , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: Mário A P
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sports , Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
authors.forename: João Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vilas-Boas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D008297:Male; D012767:Ships; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hydrodynamics; hull; single-seat kayak