BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF TWO ELITE CANOEISTS

Abstract

Inter and intrasubject comparisons of the biomechanics of two elite canoeists (S's)were the foci of this study. A sport-specific laboratory test (simulator) of power output and the accompanying motion pattern were compared to on-water performance under controlled and race conditions. The athletes were filmed paddling for several stroke cycles on a C-1 simulator, and on-water in a C-1 racing craft, at 44 strokes perminute and at their normal pace for a 500 meter race. Intra subject comparisons of the movement patterns showed that paddling on the simulator closely resembled on-water technique for both S's. Intersubject comparisons on the water and on the ergometer showed important differences, favoring subject 1 (S I), who attained faster times in competition and higher power scores on the simulation test. These results are inconsistent with the anthropometric and fitness profiles of these two athletes and will be discussed in paper #2.