The effects of core strength training on canoeists

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a core strength training program on thecore muscle strength and stability of canoeists, and to investigate whether a core strengthtraining program could improve canoe performance.Twelve canoeists, five men (mean age= 23 ±SD 3.24 years, range 18 - 28) and threewomen (mean age= 21.3 ±SD 3.23 years, range 18 - 24) formed the experimental groupand three men (mean age= 23 ±SD 4.73 years, range 18 - 27) and one woman (21 years)formed the control group. Core stability was tested with five core stability tests and twobalance tests. Canoe performance was tested with a six minute sub-maximal canoe test andfour minute sprint test on a kayak ergometer. Subjects were tested under stable and unstableconditions for both canoe tests. Testing occurred before and after the intervention program.The experimental group performed two core stability training sessions per week for eightweeks, while the control group continued with their own training programs, which did notinclude core stability training.The experimental group showed significant improvements in two of the core stability testsafter the intervention program (p < 0.05). There were no other significant improvementswith any of the other core stability and balance tests in either the experimental or controlgroups. There were no significant differences in the sprint tests for both the experimentaland control group pre-and post-testing. In the sub-maximal test, the experimental group,under unstable conditions, showed a significant improvement in mean power output, with aconcomitant non-significant decrease in oxygen consumption, heart rate and minuteventilation after the intervention program (p < 0.05).It appears that a core strength training program may positively affect core stability andimprove the paddling economy of a canoeist at a sub-maximal intensity. Choice ofexercises in the core strength training program could be a reason for the lack ofimprovement in the unstable sprint test in the experimental group.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University