Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers
Introduction: Canoe slalom is a physically very demanding discipline, in which body constitution, body composition, and relative strength are significant factors in high performance. Although anthropometric and strength parameters are relatively well-studied in male athletes, there is a lack of evid...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1343341/full |
| _version_ | 1797302512361930752 |
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| author | Jan Busta Jaroslav Hellebrand Ivana Kinkorová Andrea Duchoňová Tereza Hybská Carmen Costa Sánchez Matej Vajda |
| author_facet | Jan Busta Jaroslav Hellebrand Ivana Kinkorová Andrea Duchoňová Tereza Hybská Carmen Costa Sánchez Matej Vajda |
| author_sort | Jan Busta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Canoe slalom is a physically very demanding discipline, in which body constitution, body composition, and relative strength are significant factors in high performance. Although anthropometric and strength parameters are relatively well-studied in male athletes, there is a lack of evidence for any conclusions in women. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the morphology and upper-limb strength parameters of female canoe slalom paddlers and identify whether morphological differences exist between performance groups.Methods: Altogether, 63 female competitors of the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup (n = 29) and 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Ranking Competition (n = 34) in Prague (Czech Republic) were examined with a battery of anthropometric tests, segmental bioimpedance analysis, and handgrip strength test. The athletes were divided into groups according to age and performance: elite athletes belonging to the world top 10 according to the ICF World Ranking (WORLD, n = 7), international-level athletes competing during the World Cup (ELITE, n = 22), international-level junior athletes competing in the World Ranking Race (JUNIOR, n = 17), and other lower performance-level athletes competing in the World Ranking Race (REST, n = 17).Results: Female slalom paddlers are, in general, of average body height (∼165 cm), lower body mass (∼60 kg), BMI (∼22 kg/m2), and body fat (∼20%) and without exceptional anthropometric dimensions and proportions. However, differences were detected when performance was factored in. Female paddlers belonging to the world TOP 10 have the largest circumferences of arms and forearms, and their somatotype is more mesomorphic, with a lower proportion of total body fat and a higher proportion of muscle mass. In addition, the WORLD group differs significantly in upper-limb strength.Discussion: The results shows the significance of muscular strength and power for canoe slalom athletes and the importance of well-developed musculature in operating the boat in the unstable environment. Being a successful female canoe slalom athlete requires a well-developed musculature, maximizing strength capabilities while maintaining a low body weight through limited hypertrophy of the lower limbs and a low level of body fat. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:38:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb3f807219fa41d09a202e02013f7b85 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:38:54Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb3f807219fa41d09a202e02013f7b852024-02-20T04:39:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2024-02-011510.3389/fphys.2024.13433411343341Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlersJan Busta0Jaroslav Hellebrand1Ivana Kinkorová2Andrea Duchoňová3Tereza Hybská4Carmen Costa Sánchez5Matej Vajda6Department of Swimming, Water and Technical Sports, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague, CzechiaSport Sciences-Biomedical Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague, CzechiaSport Sciences-Biomedical Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague, CzechiaSport Sciences-Biomedical Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague, CzechiaSport Sciences-Biomedical Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, Prague, CzechiaNational Institute of Physical Education of Catalunya—INEFC Lleida, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, SpainFaculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, SlovakiaIntroduction: Canoe slalom is a physically very demanding discipline, in which body constitution, body composition, and relative strength are significant factors in high performance. Although anthropometric and strength parameters are relatively well-studied in male athletes, there is a lack of evidence for any conclusions in women. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the morphology and upper-limb strength parameters of female canoe slalom paddlers and identify whether morphological differences exist between performance groups.Methods: Altogether, 63 female competitors of the 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup (n = 29) and 2023 ICF Canoe Slalom World Ranking Competition (n = 34) in Prague (Czech Republic) were examined with a battery of anthropometric tests, segmental bioimpedance analysis, and handgrip strength test. The athletes were divided into groups according to age and performance: elite athletes belonging to the world top 10 according to the ICF World Ranking (WORLD, n = 7), international-level athletes competing during the World Cup (ELITE, n = 22), international-level junior athletes competing in the World Ranking Race (JUNIOR, n = 17), and other lower performance-level athletes competing in the World Ranking Race (REST, n = 17).Results: Female slalom paddlers are, in general, of average body height (∼165 cm), lower body mass (∼60 kg), BMI (∼22 kg/m2), and body fat (∼20%) and without exceptional anthropometric dimensions and proportions. However, differences were detected when performance was factored in. Female paddlers belonging to the world TOP 10 have the largest circumferences of arms and forearms, and their somatotype is more mesomorphic, with a lower proportion of total body fat and a higher proportion of muscle mass. In addition, the WORLD group differs significantly in upper-limb strength.Discussion: The results shows the significance of muscular strength and power for canoe slalom athletes and the importance of well-developed musculature in operating the boat in the unstable environment. Being a successful female canoe slalom athlete requires a well-developed musculature, maximizing strength capabilities while maintaining a low body weight through limited hypertrophy of the lower limbs and a low level of body fat.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1343341/fullwater sport activitiessomatotype and body compositioncanoeing and kayakingwomen and sportfemale athlete |
| spellingShingle | Jan Busta Jaroslav Hellebrand Ivana Kinkorová Andrea Duchoňová Tereza Hybská Carmen Costa Sánchez Matej Vajda Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers Frontiers in Physiology water sport activities somatotype and body composition canoeing and kayaking women and sport female athlete |
| title | Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers |
| title_full | Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers |
| title_fullStr | Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers |
| title_short | Body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers |
| title_sort | body morphology and handgrip strength parameters of the female canoe slalom paddlers |
| topic | water sport activities somatotype and body composition canoeing and kayaking women and sport female athlete |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1343341/full |
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