The Relationship Between the Distribution of Training Intensity and Performance of Kayak and Canoe Sprinters: A Retrospective Observational Analysis of One Season of Competition

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the training intensity distribution (TID) among highly trained canoe sprinters during a single season and to relate TID to changes in performance.Methods: The heart rates during on-water training by 11 German sprint kayakers (7 women, 4 men) and one male canoeist were monitored during preparation periods (PP) 1 and 2, as well as during the period of competition (CP) (total monitoring period: 37 weeks). The zones of training intensity (Z) were defined as Z1 [<80% of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak)], Z2 (81–87% VO2peak) and Z3 (>87% VO2peak), as determined by 4 × 1,500-m incremental testing on-water. Prior to and after each period, the time required to complete the last 1,500-m stage (all-out) of the incremental test (1,500-m time-trial), velocities associated with 2 and 4 mmol·L−1 blood lactate (v2[BLa], v4[BLa]) and VO2peak were determined.Results: During each period, the mean TID for the entire group was pyramidal (PP1: 84/12/4%, PP2: 80/12/8% and CP: 91/5/4% for Z1, Z2, Z3) and total training time on-water increased from 5.0 ± 0.9 h (PP1) to 6.1 ± 0.9 h (PP2) and 6.5 ± 1.0 h (CP). The individual ranges for Z1, Z2 and Z3 were 61–96, 2–26 and 0–19%. During PP2 VO2peak (25.5 ± 11.4%) markedly increased compared to PP1 and CP and during PP1 v2[bla] (3.6 ± 3.4%) showed greater improvement compared to PP2, but not to CP. All variables related to performance improved as the season progressed, but no other effects were observed. With respect to time-trial performance, the time spent in Z1 (r = 0.66, p = 0.01) and total time in all three zones (r = 0.66, p = 0.01) showed positive correlations, while the time spent in Z2 (r = −0.57, p = 0.04) was negatively correlated.Conclusions: This seasonal analysis of the effects of training revealed extensive inter-individual variability. Overall, TID was pyramidal during the entire period of observation, with a tendency toward improvement in VO2peak, v2[bla], v4[bla] and time-trial performance. During PP2, when the COVID-19 lockdown was in place, the proportion of time spent in Z3 doubled, while that spent in Z1 was lowered; the total time spent training on water increased; these changes may have accentuated the improvement in performance during this period. A further increase in total on-water training time during CP was made possible by reductions in the proportions of time spent in Z2 and Z3, so that more fractions of time was spent in Z1.

The proportional distribution of training by elite endurance athletes at different intensities during different phases of the season

“…Since different endurance sports differ with respect to many of these features, we recommend cautious comparisons between the TIDs of different sports. For instance, particularly during the preparatory phase athletes in endurance sports such as rowing, kayaking, and swimming perform a substantial proportion of strength training, with as much as 50%–60% of their total training being non-specific ( 14 , 30 , 37 , 38 , 54 , 55 , 71 , 98 ).…”

“…For example, a recent seasonal analysis of the TID of canoeists/kayakers focused only on the 53% of the total training time spent on-water ( 37 ), leaving the 25% strength training and 17% non-specific endurance training unexamined. Similarly, other investigators have characterized only the intensity of specific training, which accounted for approximately only 52% of total training time ( 14 ).…”

“…In order to achieve their peak performance at the right time, endurance athletes usually divide their training into micro-, mesoand macro-cycles (preparatory phases, the period of competition including phases of tapering off) (100). Depending on the athlete and his/her aims, sport, and upcoming event, the TIDs at different time-points in these cycles may differ significantly, as has been reported for a variety of endurance sports, including rowing (14, 62), kayaking (37), cross-country skiing (28,32,57), running (24), and cycling (59). For example, the pyramidal TIDs of kayak/ canoe sprint athletes determined for an entire season differed markedly when two preparatory phases and the period of competition were analyzed separately (37).…”

“…It is important to realize that elite-to-world-class athletes [Tier 4 and 5 athletes according to McKay's framework ( 67 )] perform much more overall training than athletes at a lower level and that the volume of training exerts an impact on the TID ( 63 ). Furthermore, over the course of a season, athletes adapt their TID ( 8 , 14 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 37 , 68 ) to achieve their current goals in relationship to their schedule for competition, emphasizing the need for phase-specific analysis of TIDs as well.…”

“…aspects of the exercise (35). Most often either internal (e.g., heart rate, blood lactate levels) (14, 25,26,[28][29][30][31][32][36][37][38][39], subjective (i.e., rating of perceived exertion; RPE) (16) or external indicators of load (e.g., power output and race-pace) (6,7,18,19,21,34,(39)(40)(41) have been employed to define Z1, Z2 and Z3 (Figure 1). However, as elaborated upon elsewhere (35), there are currently no standard criteria for distinguishing between these different zones.…”