Analysis of the kayak forward stroke according to skill level and knee flexion angle

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between elite and novice kayak forward stroke motion. A total of 20 subjects participated; 10 elite university kayak players and 10 male university students. The experiment was performed indoors on a kayak-ergometer testing between varied knee flexion angles of 90°; 120°; 150°. During the three knee flexion conditions, the following were measured; stroke frequency, paddling amplitude, joint angle ROM for the knee flexion/extension and thorax and pelvis rotational ROM, and plantar foot pressure. The results show that rowing with 120° knee flexion angle showed had a higher stroke frequency and paddling amplitude than other knee flexion angles. There were significant differences at the thorax, pelvis rotation and knee flexion-extension ROM for each condition. There were significant differences for the foot pressure between the elite and novice. In conclusion, the skilled group used more rotation of their trunk and pelvis than the unskilled and the optimum angle for knee flexion was deemed to be 120°.