Abstract Introduction The Hawaiian canoe has numerous bene-fits for those who use it. Furthermore, it is considered a moderate/high-intensity cyclic sport that can cause injuries. Studies on factors ...associated with injuries in Hawaiian canoe paddlers are considered limited and scarce. Objective To identify the profile of canoe paddlers and determine the main factors associated with injuries. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 Hawaiian canoe paddlers (54% females, 45.6 ± 10.0 years old; 46% males, 44.8 ± 11.7 years old) using an online survey, with questions on sociodemographic and anthropometric information and practice and injuries. Results Participants reported having at least four years of experience with the modality, training approximately four times a week for a total of six hours. Almost half (45%) of the sample reported having been injured at least once while canoeing. The back/spine was the body region with the highest injury prevalence, with 38.6%. Intense training was considered the only associated factor for injuries (odds ratio: 3.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.71 - 9.26). Conclusion This pioneering study in Brazil allowed us to profile Hawaiian canoe paddlers and identify the main factors associated with injuries. Paddlers who train intensely are more likely to develop injuries during practice. Therefore, this variable must be considered when planning sessions.
Resumo Introdução A canoagem havaiana apresenta inúmeros benefícios para os praticantes. Apesar disso, é uma prática considerada com gestos cíclicos, realizada com intensidade moderada/intensa e que pode ocasionar lesões. As evidências sobre os fatores associados às lesões em remadores de canoa havaiana são consideradas limitadas e escassas. Objetivo Identificar o perfil dos remadores brasileiros de canoa havaiana e verificar os fatores associados às lesões. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal conduzido em 100 remadores de canoa havaiana (54% sexo feminino, 46,2 ± 8,5 anos; 46% do sexo masculino, 44,8 ± 11,7 anos) por meio de uma pesquisa online. O instrumento utilizado continha perguntas sobre as variáveis sociodemográ-ficas, antropométricas, prática da modalidade e lesões. Resultados Os participantes reportaram ter experiência de pelo menos quatro anos com a modalidade, treinando aproximadamente quatro vezes por semana e totalizando seis horas de treino semanal. Quarenta e cinco por cento da amostra relatou ter sido lesionada pelo menos uma vez durante a prática da modalidade. As costas/coluna foi a região corporal com maior prevalência de lesão, com 38,6%. Treinos intensos foram considerados os únicos fatores associados para lesões (razão de chance: 3,98; intervalo de confiança: 1,71 - 9,26). Conclusão Este estudo pioneiro no Brasil permitiu traçar o perfil dos remadores de canoa havaiana, bem como identificar os principais fatores associados a lesões. Remadores que treinam intensamente estão mais propensos a desenvolver lesões durante a prática, portanto, esta variável deve ser levada em consideração no planejamento das sessões.
This study examined the effects of a resistance-type high-intensity interval training (RHIIT) matched with the lowest velocity that elicited
O
(100%
O
) in well-trained kayak sprint athletes. ...Responses in cardiac structure and function, cardiorespiratory fitness, anaerobic power, exercise performance, muscular strength, and hormonal adaptations were examined. Male kayakers (
= 24, age: 27 ± 4 years) were randomly assigned to one of three 8-wk conditions (
= 8): (RHIIT) resistance training using one-armed cable row at 100%
O
; paddling-based HIIT (PHIIT) six sets of paddling at 100%
O
; or controls (CON) who performed six sessions including 1-h on-water paddling/sessions at 70-80% maximum HR per week. Significant increases (
< 0.05) in
O
,
O
, maximal cardiac output, resting stroke volume, left ventricular end-systolic dimension, 500-m paddling performance were seen pre- to post-training in all groups. Change in
O
in response to PHIIT was significantly greater (
= 0.03) compared to CON. Also, 500-m paddling performance changes in response to PHIIT and RHIIT were greater (
= 0.02, 0.05, respectively) than that of CON. Compared with pre-training, PHIIT and RHIIT resulted in significant increases in peak and average power output, maximal stroke volume, end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction, total testosterone, testosterone/cortisol ratio, and 1,000-m paddling performance. Also, the change in 1,000-m paddling performance in response to PHIIT was significantly greater (
= 0.02) compared to that of CON. Moreover, maximum strength was significantly enhanced in response to RHIIT pre- to post-training (
< 0.05). Overall, RHIIT and PHIIT similarly improve cardiac structure and hemodynamics, physiological adaptations, and performance of well-trained kayak sprint athletes. Also, RHIIT enhances cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength simultaneously.
To analyse the characteristics of injuries sustained by elite sprint kayak athletes, to investigate relationships between initial and subsequent injuries, and to examine injury differences between ...male and female athletes.
Descriptive epidemiology study.
Data from 63 athletes (37 male, 26 female) of the Australian national sprint kayak squad were prospectively collected over three continuous years (September 2014-August 2017). All medical attention injuries were recorded irrespective of time-loss and modality of training. Descriptive analyses were performed, and frequency comparisons across genders assessed with chi squared tests.
Forty-nine athletes (78%) sustained 146 injuries (median=2, interquartile range=1–4, range=0–12). Most injuries were to the upper limb (48%), with the shoulder being the most common body site injured (27%). Thirty-one athletes (49%) sustained at least one subsequent injury, equating to 97 subsequent injuries. The majority (68%) of subsequent injuries occurred at a different site and nature to previous injuries. Male athletes were more likely to sustain an injury than remain injury free compared to female athletes (Chi2(1)=6.75, p=0.009), but there was no difference between males and females who thereafter sustained a subsequent injury (Chi2(1)=0.84, p=0.359).
Injury occurrence is common in sprint kayak, with many athletes experiencing more than one injury. Small variations in injury characteristics exist between male and female athletes in sprint kayak. This study identifies upper limb and trunk, and joint and muscle injuries as the most prevalent sprint kayak injuries, providing a focus for the development of future injury prevention strategies.
The present intervention study examined the effects of intensity-matched velocity-based strength training with a 10% velocity loss (VL10) versus traditional 1-repetition maximum (1RM) based ...resistance training to failure (TRF) on 1RM and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in a concurrent training setting.
Using the minimization method, 21 highly trained rowers (4 females and 17 males; 19.6 2.1 y, 1.83 0.07 m, 74.6 8.8 kg, V˙O2max: 64.9 8.5 mL·kg-1·min-1) were either assigned to VL10 or TRF. In addition to rowing endurance training (about 75 min·d-1), both groups performed strength training (5 exercises, 80% 1RM, 4 sets, 2-3 min interset recovery, 2 times/week) over 8 weeks. Squat, deadlift, bench row, and bench press 1RM and V˙O2max rowing-ergometer ramp tests were completed. Overall recovery and overall stress were monitored every evening using the Short Recovery and Stress Scale.
Large and significant group × time interactions (P < .03, ηp2>.23, standard mean differences SMD > 0.65) in favor of VL10 (averaged +18.0% 11.3%) were observed for squat, bench row, and bench press 1RM compared with TRF (averaged +8.0% 2.9%). V˙O2max revealed no interaction effects (P = .55, ηp2=.01, standard mean difference < .23) but large time effects (P < .05, ηp2>.27). Significant group × time interactions (P = .001, ηp2>.54, SMD > |0.525|) in favor of VL10 were also observed for overall recovery and overall stress 24 and 48 hours after strength training.
VL10 serves as a promising means to improve strength capacity at lower repetitions and stress levels in highly trained athletes. Future research should investigate the interference effects of VL10 in strength endurance sports and its effects when increasing weekly VL10 sessions within one macrocycle.
The aim of this work was to compare anthropometric and general physical performance variables in young water polo athletes of three competitive levels, to identify the characteristic qualities and, ...therefore, the best variables for the identification of talent.
Fifty-seven young male water polo players between 12 and 14 years old were recruited for the study: 18 were recreational level (REC), 18 sub-elite level (SE) and 21 elite level (EL). To assess anthropometric characteristics the following measurements were used: body mass, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, chest circumference and arm span. Five general performance measures were used: counter movement jump (CMJ), triple hop jump (THJ), push up, chin up and sit up. Relative age was assessed.
The whole sample was homogeneous by age (REC 13.1±0.4, SE 13.2±1.0, EL 13.3±0.7 years old) but not in terms of relative age: most of the members of the SE and EL groups were born in the first half of the year. Body mass values (REC 48.2±11.6, SE 59.3±11.6, EL 69.1±4.2 kg) show statistically significant differences between all three competitive levels (REC vs. SE P=0.007, REC vs. EL P=0.001, SE vs. EL P=0.009). As regards the other anthropometric measurements differences were mainly observed between REC and the two other groups: SE and EL had statistically significant higher values in almost all of the measurements carried out. Among the performance measures, lower limb strength (CMJ and THJ) seems to better differentiate between groups: REC group had lower values than the others and EL had the highest values.
Anthropometric characteristics are useful to distinguish the basic level of youth categories from higher competitive levels and should be used for talent selection. The performance results confirm that the subjects' capacity to be trained and sporting practice are essential to reach the elite level.
Immersion water sports involve long-term apneas; therefore, athletes must physiologically adapt to maintain muscle oxygenation, despite not performing pulmonary ventilation. Breath-holding (i.e., ...apnea) is common in water sports, and it involves a decrease and increases PaO
2
and PaCO
2
, respectively, as the primary signals that trigger the end of apnea. The principal physiological O
2
sensors are the carotid bodies, which are able to detect arterial gases and metabolic alterations before reaching the brain, which aids in adjusting the cardiorespiratory system. Moreover, the principal H
+
/CO
2
sensor is the retrotrapezoid nucleus, which is located at the brainstem level; this mechanism contributes to detecting respiratory and metabolic acidosis. Although these sensors have been characterized in pathophysiological states, current evidence shows a possible role for these mechanisms as physiological sensors during voluntary apnea. Divers and swimmer athletes have been found to displayed longer apnea times than land sports athletes, as well as decreased peripheral O
2
and central CO
2
chemoreflex control. However, although chemosensitivity at rest could be decreased, we recently found marked sympathoexcitation during maximum voluntary apnea in young swimmers, which could activate the spleen (which is a reservoir organ for oxygenated blood). Therefore, it is possible that the chemoreflex, autonomic function, and storage/delivery oxygen organ(s) are linked to apnea in immersion water sports. In this review, we summarized the available evidence related to chemoreflex control in immersion water sports. Subsequently, we propose a possible physiological mechanistic model that could contribute to providing new avenues for understanding the respiratory physiology of water sports.
The maximal lactate accumulation rate (VLamax) has been linked to lactic anaerobic performance. Hence, accurate and reliable assessment is crucial in sport-specific performance testing. Thus, ...between-day reliability data of rowing-specific VLamax assessment was examined. Seventeen trained rowers (eight females and nine males; 19.5±5.2 yrs; 1.76±0.08 m; 70.2±8.9 kg; V̇O
max: 54±13 ml/min/kg) performed 20-s sprint tests on two separate days (one week apart) on a rowing ergometer. VLamax, peak lactate concentration, time to peak lactate, and mean rowing power were measured. Good to excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), low standard error of measurement (SEM), and acceptable levels of agreement (LoAs; 90% confidence interval) for VLamax (ICC=0.85; SEM=0.02 mmol/L/s; LoA±0.09 mmol/L/s), peak lactate (ICC=0.88; SEM=0.3 mmol/L; LoA±1.4 mmol/l), time to peak lactate (ICC=0.92; SEM=0.1 min; LoA±0.5 min), and mean rowing power (ICC=0.98; SEM=3 W; LoA±39 W) were observed. In addition, VLamax was highly correlated (r=0.96;
≤0.001) to rowing power. Thus, VLamax and sprint performance parameters can be measured highly reliably using this sport-specific sprint test in rowing.
Held, S, Rappelt, L, Rein, R, Deutsch, J-P, Wiedenmann, T, and Donath, L. Five-week, low-intensity, blood flow restriction rowing improves V̇ o2 max in elite rowers. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): ...e299-e303, 2024-This controlled intervention study examined the effects of low-intensity rowing with blood flow restriction (BFR) on maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ o2 max), peak power output during ramp testing (PPO), and 2000-m time trial performance (P2k). Eleven, highly elite, male rowers (22.1 ± 1.6 years; 92.6 ± 3.8 kg; 1.93 ± 0.04 m; 7.9. ± 2.2 years rowing experience; 20.4 ± 2.0 h·w -1 training volume; 11.9 ± 1.1 session per week) trained 5 weeks without BFR (Base) followed by a 5-week BFR intervention period. BFR of the lower limb was applied through customized elastic wraps. BFR took place 3 times a week (accumulated net pBFR: 60 min·wk -1 ; occlusion per session: 2 times 10 min·session -1 ) and was used exclusively at low intensities (<2 mmol·L -1 ). V̇ o2 max, PPO, and P2k were examined before, between, and after both intervention periods. Bayesian's credible intervals revealed relevantly increased V̇ o2 max +0.30 L·min -1 (95% credible interval: +0.00 to +0.61 L·min -1 ) adaptations through BFR. By contrast, PPO +14 W (-6 to +34 W) and P2k -5 W (-14 to +3 W) were not noticeably affected by the BFR intervention. This study revealed that 15 sessions of BFR application with a cumulative total BFR load of 5 h over a 5-week macrocycle increased V̇ o2 max remarkably. Thus, pBFR might serve as a promising tool to improve aerobic capacity in highly trained elite rowers.
This study aimed to identify the relationship between the mean power output of 2000-m rowing ergometer performance with the peak power output obtained during an incremental test, in addition to ...verifying the possibility of using the 2000-m mean power as an intensity associated with V̇O2max.
Nineteen rowers (age 25.5±10.6 years; V̇O2peak: 65.4±5.8 mL/kg/min) completed an incremental test followed by a 2000-m familiarization test (day 1) and a 2000-m rowing ergometer test (day 2). During the incremental test, the peak power output (PV̇O2peak) and the exercise intensity thresholds were determined. The maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) was analyzed in both tests.
The PV̇O2peak (284.8±44.7 W) presented the highest correlation coefficient (r=0.978) with 2000-m mean power (284.2±49.9 W) and was the only one included in stepwise regression explaining 96% of 2000-m mean power. V̇O2peak was lower in the incremental test (4.69±0.61 L/min) compared with the 2000-m rowing ergometer test (4.86±0.63 L/min; P=0.01) with a small bias limits of agreement (0.16±0.53 L/min).
2000-m mean power is a valid tool to estimate the PV̇O2peak and allow the achievement of V̇O2peak. Furthermore, the PV̇O2peak was the most important predictor of performance.