Evaluating kayak paddling skills in term of muscular activity

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24650391
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya
• Principal Investigator: NAKAMURA NATSUMI 鹿屋体育大学, スポーツ・武道実践科学系, 准教授 (30287817)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: カヌースプリント / カヤック / 水上パドリング / 筋電図 / 筋放電様相

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To assess kayak paddling skills, we evaluated kayak paddling performance by monitoring the muscle recruitment patterns and by investigating differences in paddling movements between paddling on an ergometer and on a kayak.
Seven healthy subjects with kayak paddling experience took part in this study (males; 20.3±1.1 years). Electromyographic signal data indicated that muscle recruitment patterns during paddling on an ergometer included the latissimus dorsi and abdominal external oblique muscles. However, a paddler on a kayak applies propulsive force while maintaining balance in the boat. Thus, when paddling on a kayak, electromyographic signals were observed continuously from all muscle groups throughout the entire period of paddling.
These results suggest that the“skills” of paddling on a kayak are related to muscle recruitment during the phase of paddling that did not affect the propulsive force. However, more electromyographic data needs to be collected from paddlers on a kayak.

Free Research Field

健康・スポーツ科学