PLoS ONE (Jan 2018)

Novel paddle stroke analysis for elite slalom kayakers: Relationship with force parameters.

  • Leonardo Henrique Dalcheco Messias,
  • Filipe Antônio de Barros Sousa,
  • Ivan Gustavo Masseli Dos Reis,
  • Homero Gustavo Ferrari,
  • Claudio Alexandre Gobatto,
  • Camila Caputo Saldanha Serra,
  • Marcelo Papoti,
  • Fúlvia Barros Manchado-Gobatto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192835
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 2
p. e0192835

Abstract

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This study was divided into two complementary parts. In Part 1, we proposed a novel paddle strokes analysis based on the force signal from a 30-s all-out tethered test; and compared these results with video recordings. In Part 2, we investigated the relationship between force data from the same test with paddle stroke results from both methods. Eleven male elite slalom kayakers (Brazilian national team) were evaluated. The tethered test was conducted for force parameters analysis (peak-force, mean-force, impulse). Video recording analysis was conducted, and the performed strokes (V.NumberPaddle) was counted and frequency (V.FrequencyPaddle) calculated by the V.NumberPaddle divided by 30 (i.e. total time of test). The new method consisted of performed strokes and frequency achievement from a load cell force signal analysis (S.NumberPaddle and S.FrequencyPaddle, respectively). Paired test-t did not show difference between methods results, but significant correlations were only obtained for the number of paddle strokes. Force parameters were only correlated with S.NumberPaddle and S.FrequencyPaddle. Overall, considering the theoretical and practical application, we propose that the new method should be used as an alternative to the video recording.