Magnitude and Shape of the Forces Applied on the Foot Rest and Paddle by Elite Kayakers

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the magnitude and shape of the forces applied on the foot rest, foot strap, and paddle. Thirteen elite male kayakers participated in this study and performed a 2-min test simulating 500 m race pace in a kayak ergometer. Forces applied by the kayakers on the paddle, foot rest, and foot strap were measured with load cells and recorded by an electronic measuring system. The magnitude of the peak forces applied on the foot rest (left: 543.27 ± 85.93; right: 524.39 ± 88.36) approximately doubled the ones applied on the paddle (left: 236.37 ± 19.32; right: 243.92 ± 28.89). The forces on the foot strap were similar in magnitude to the paddle forces (left: 240.09 ± 74.92; right: 231.05 ± 52.01). A positive correlation was found between the peak forces applied on the foot rest and paddle on the same side (p < 0.001). When comparing the best and worst kayakers’ performance, the best showed greater forces magnitudes and synchronization of the peak forces. Analyses of the force–time curves, including not only the forces applied by the kayaker on the paddle but also the ones applied on the foot rest and strap, should be considered relevant in terms of technique analyses.

Analysis of Return-to-Zero Error after the First Load of Load Cell

“…Resistance strain load cell is a kind of mechanical measurement sensor which is wildly used in various field such as industrial robotics [1,2], agriculture [3][4][5], medicine [6][7][8][9], sports industry [10,11], and many high-precision weighing applications [12][13][14][15][16][17]. It is a sensitive component that converts the deformation of the strain gage under force into an electrical signal [18].…”

Sensor Technology for Sports Monitoring

“…Papers [ 7 , 8 ] both studied kayaking. The aim of [ 7 ] was to investigate the magnitude and shape of the forces applied on the foot rest, foot strap, and paddle, and it was found that when comparing the best and worst kayakers’ performance, the best showed greater magnitudes of force and greater synchronization of the peak forces.…”

“…Papers [ 7 , 8 ] both studied kayaking. The aim of [ 7 ] was to investigate the magnitude and shape of the forces applied on the foot rest, foot strap, and paddle, and it was found that when comparing the best and worst kayakers’ performance, the best showed greater magnitudes of force and greater synchronization of the peak forces. It was recommended that analyses of the force–time curves, including not only the forces applied by the kayaker on the paddle but also the ones applied on the foot rest and strap, should be considered relevant in terms of technique analyses.…”

Sensor Technology for Sports Monitoring

“…Papers [7] and [8] both studied kayaking. The aim of [7] was to investigate the magnitude and shape of the forces applied on the foot rest, foot strap, and paddle, and it was found that when comparing the best and worst kayakers' performance, the best showed greater magnitudes of force and greater synchronization of the peak forces.…”

“…Papers [7] and [8] both studied kayaking. The aim of [7] was to investigate the magnitude and shape of the forces applied on the foot rest, foot strap, and paddle, and it was found that when comparing the best and worst kayakers' performance, the best showed greater magnitudes of force and greater synchronization of the peak forces. It was recommended that analyses of the force-time curves, including not only the forces applied by the kayaker on the paddle but also the ones applied on the foot rest and strap, should be considered relevant in terms of technique analyses.…”