REF-950 · García-Pallarés et al., 2009 · Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, Vol. · PubMed · Free full text

Post-season detraining effects on physiological and performance parameters in top-level kayakers: comparison of two recovery strategies

Blimited evidenceMeasured on elite to world-class athletesWritten before October 2026, being re-checked

Fourteen top-level male kayakers were randomly assigned at the end of their competitive season (T1) to 5 weeks of reduced training (RT, n = 7) or complete training cessation (TC, n = 7). Blood sampling and an incremental test to exhaustion on a kayak ergometer were done at T1 and after the 5 weeks (T2).

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and oxygen uptake at the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) fell after TC (-10.1% and -8.8%) and, to a lesser extent, after RT (-4.8% and -5.7%). Paddling speed at VO2max declined only in TC (-3.3%); paddling speed at VT2 declined in both groups.

Cortisol fell by 30% in both groups, with a higher increase in the testosterone to cortisol ratio in RT. The authors conclude that reduced training may be more effective than complete cessation for avoiding excessive declines in cardiovascular function and performance.

Participants

Fourteen top-level male kayakers, randomly assigned to TC (n = 7) or RT (n = 7) at the end of the competitive season.

Protocol

5 weeks of reduced training (RT) or complete training cessation (TC) after the season.
T1 (end of season) and T2 (after 5 weeks): blood sampling and incremental test to exhaustion on a kayak ergometer.
Outcomes: VO2max, VT2, heart rate, peak blood lactate, paddling speed, stroke rate and paddling power at VO2max and VT2; cortisol and testosterone.
The content of the reduced training is not described in the abstract.

Key Results

VO2max and oxygen uptake at VT2 decreased after TC (-10.1% and -8.8%, respectively) and, to a lesser extent, after RT (-4.8% and -5.7% respectively).
Heart rate at VT2 increased after TC (3.5%); no change in heart rate at VO2max in either group; peak blood lactate unchanged in both.
Paddling speed at VO2max declined in TC (-3.3%); paddling speed at VT2 declined in both groups (-5.0% and -4.2% for TC and RT, respectively).
Stroke rate at VO2max and at VT2 increased only after TC, by 5.2% and 4.9%, respectively.
Paddling power at VO2max and at VT2 decreased in both groups, with higher values after RT than after TC.
Cortisol declined (-30%) in both groups; a higher increase in testosterone to cortisol ratio in RT.

Practical Application

"Should I stop completely in the off-season or keep something going?" In fourteen top-level kayakers randomised after the season, 5 weeks of complete rest cost 10.1% of VO2max, while 5 weeks of reduced training cost 4.8% — and speed at VO2max fell only in the group that stopped. Keep a reduced programme through the break; a complete stop of several weeks roughly doubles the aerobic loss.
Reduced training did not prevent loss: VO2max and speed at VT2 still fell in that group. The off-season is a managed decline, not maintenance.
Both groups showed the same fall in cortisol, so the hormonal recovery of the break did not require stopping completely.
Not from this paper: what the reduced programme should contain comes from REF-951 (keep the intensity) and, in cyclists, from REF-166 and REF-165; the season-level rule is in SYNTH-76.

Limitations

Fourteen athletes, n = 7 per group; men only; kayak (upper-body) ergometry.
The content of the reduced training is not given in the abstract.
No follow-up into the next season, so the effect on later performance is not shown.
No DOI is registered for this article; identified by PMID.
Written from the abstract and record metadata only (full text not read).
How this entry was checked and changed
Why this level

parallel randomised trial with fourteen athletes (n = 7 per group)