Determinants of Flatwater Canoeing and Kayaking Performance
Systematic search, narrative synthesis
Key Findings (abstract)
Search up to June 2020 in Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science, canoeing and kayaking treated separately, male and female paddlers
High-level male kayakers and canoeists share a mesomorph build with low body-fat, high lean body mass and strong musculature; kayakers are slightly taller than canoeists
High levels of both aerobic and anaerobic capacity, with distinguished upper-body strength and muscle thickness, especially in the arms and shoulders
Female kayakers follow the same pattern with lower values than males
Conclusion: successful performance depends on a combination of anthropometric, physiological, biomechanical, neuromuscular, psychological and nutritional factors, which differ between specialised kayak and canoe paddlers because of their different paddling motor patterns — physical preparation and talent identification should be modality-specific
Practical Application
Systematic search (to June 2020) of flatwater kayak and canoe determinants: high-level paddlers combine high aerobic AND anaerobic capacity with pronounced upper-body strength and arm/shoulder muscle thickness in a lean mesomorph build; kayak and canoe differ in motor pattern and should be prepared for separately. For a masters paddler: build both energy systems and the upper body specifically to your boat
Cyclist/runner: kayaking = whole-body, non-impact, upper-body-dominant cross-training (kind to legs/joints). Not from this paper; the base's own practice
Stroke rate × stroke length as a fatigue marker is a swimming heuristic (REF-535); this abstract does not report stroke mechanics. Inference, not tested: the analogy is plausible, not shown here
Limitations
Narrative synthesis; heterogeneity of included studies, some with small samples
The abstract gives no numbers (no VO2max, strength or distance-specific values)
Sprint (Olympic) flatwater ≠ marathon/touring paddling — different demands
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level
regraded 2026-09-27 from A: systematic search but narrative synthesis of descriptive studies, no meta-analysis
Content correction 2026-09-27
"Anaerobic capacity for sprint distances 200-500 m", "the 200/500/1000 m distances demand a different aerobic/anaerobic balance", "stroke length falls under fatigue", "upper-body endurance is a specific trainable ability" -> not in the abstract; removed or labelled as inference
Added the abstract's findings (anthropometry, aerobic + anaerobic capacity, upper-body strength/thickness, sex pattern, kayak ≠ canoe)
Level A -> B+ (systematic search, narrative synthesis, no meta-analysis); Sport line "cycling, running, swimming" -> "kayak, canoe"; Journal issue 74(2) -> 74(3) per the DOI record