Effect of paddle grip on segmental fluid distribution in elite slalom paddlers

Abstract

Issues of high levels of muscular asymmetry have been associated with injury risk, and therefore have potential implications for decremental performance at the elite sport level. The aim of this current study was to assess the relationship between the segmental fluid distribution and the paddle grip in elite male and female slalom kayakers and canoeists. Eighty-four world-cup competitors (61 males and 23 females) took part in the study. Impedance analysis was used to assess segmental fluid asymmetry. The effect of paddle grip (loose/fixed hand in kayakers, lower/upper hand in canoeists), morphological dominance (dominant/non-dominant) and discipline (canoe/kayak) were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. The findings indicated a significant effect of paddle grip in canoeists on morphological asymmetry in upper limbs (arm of lower paddle hand mean fluid distribution 3.28, s=0.43 litres; arm of upper paddle hand mean fluid distribution 3.19, s=0.41 litres; P=0.000, [Formula: see text]=0.33). The sternmen demonstrated higher asymmetry between the arms of upper and lower paddle hand (mean 0.11, s=0.04 litres, P=0.000, [Formula: see text]=0.80) than the bowmen (mean 0.04, s=0.06 litres, P=0.015, [Formula: see text]=0.44) in double-canoes. Significant morphological asymmetry was found also in kayakers but the effect of paddle grip was not substantial. The use of segmental impedance analysis may be a suitable diagnostic tool for assessing morphological changes, which can be related to paddling training. Likewise muscular asymmetry is associated with injury risk; the evaluation of morphological changes during the training process may be considered by sport trainers and physical therapists.

Effects of ten weeks dynamic or isometric core training on climbing performance among highly trained climbers

“…unilateral foot support). The participant was told to gripthe campus rung without using their thumbs (S1 Fig) [4], at a self-selected grip width with the little finger within the length of the rung. The distance between the foot and hand rungs was individualized to the height of each climber and the hand support rung was positioned at 50% of the climber`s height.…”

“…In recent decades, climbing performance measured by the difficulty rating of routes, has greatly improved in Sport Climbing World Cup series. However, the training used to improve and develop climbing performance mostly draws on experience-based knowledge, cross-sectional studies [4, 5] and a few intervention studies conducted in climbing [6, 7]…”

“…Several cross-sectional studies have reported strength and/or endurance in the fingers, body composition and relative upper-body strength as the most important physical factors predicting climbing performance [4, 5]. Several factors have been investigated as predictors of climbing performance.…”

“…The most frequently used tests (Bent-arm hang, Dead-hang and finger strength) relate to climbing-specific actions, and the relative contribution of anthropometric factors (height, weight, body fat) and climbing experience and flexibility have also been examined. Between 0.3–97% of climbing performance has been explained by these factors, singly or in combination, depending on climbing performance level and number of factors included in the analyses [1, 4], with duration in a finger grip suspension (‘dead hang’) found to be the best single predictor of performance (r 2 = 0.66–0.76) [4]. …”

Influence of five-month preparatory period on changes of morphological and performance parameters in the Czech junior representatives in whitewater slalom

“…Potvrzuje se tak vhodně zvolená strategie v řízení zátěže sledovaných závodníků v přípravném období. Ve vztahu především k rozvoji svalové hmoty někteří autoři poukazují na mož-nost vzniku svalové asymetrie a to především u sportovních aktivit, kde dochází k systematickému přetěžování určitých svalových partií a segmentů těla (Bílý et al, 2013). Autoři poukazují na možné souvislosti svalové asymetrie a rizika zra nění.…”