The effects of core strength training on canoeists

Date
2006-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a core strength training program on the core muscle strength and stability of canoeists, and to investigate whether a core strength training program could improve canoe performance. Twelve canoeists, five men (mean age= 23 ±SD 3.24 years, range 18 - 28) and three women (mean age= 21.3 ±SD 3.23 years, range 18 - 24) formed the experimental group and 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 two balance tests. Canoe performance was tested with a six minute sub-maximal canoe test and four minute sprint test on a kayak ergometer. Subjects were tested under stable and unstable conditions for both canoe tests. Testing occurred before and after the intervention program. The experimental group performed two core stability training sessions per week for eight weeks, while the control group continued with their own training programs, which did not include core stability training. The experimental group showed significant improvements in two of the core stability tests after the intervention program (p < 0.05). There were no other significant improvements with any of the other core stability and balance tests in either the experimental or control groups. There were no significant differences in the sprint tests for both the experimental and 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 a concomitant non-significant decrease in oxygen consumption, heart rate and minute ventilation after the intervention program (p < 0.05). It appears that a core strength training program may positively affect core stability and improve the paddling economy of a canoeist at a sub-maximal intensity. Choice of exercises in the core strength training program could be a reason for the lack of improvement in the unstable sprint test in the experimental group.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die effek van 'n kemspieroefeningsprogram op die krag en stabiliteit van die kemspiere van roeiers te bepaal, en om te ondersoek of 'n kemspieroefeningsprogram die prestasie van roeiers kan verbeter. Twaalf roeiers het aan die studie deelgeneem: vyf mans (gemiddelde ouderdom = 23 ± SD 3.24 jaar, reikwydte 18 - 28) en drie dames (gemiddelde ouderdom = 21.3 ±SD 3.23 jaar, reikwydte 18 - 24) die ekperimentele groep; en drie mans (gemiddelde ouderdom = 23 ± SD4.73 jaar, reikwydte 18 - 27) en een dame (21 jaar) in die kontrole groep. Kemstabiliteit is getoets deur die gebruik van vyf kemstabiliteit toetse en twee balanstoetse. Kano prestasie is getoets met 'n ses-minuut submaksimale kano toets, en 'n vier-minuut naellry toets op 'n kayakergometer. Die roeiers was getoets onder stabiele en onstabiele toestande vir albei toetse. Toetse het voor en na die oefenprogram plaasgevind. Die eksperimentele groep het twee kemstabiliteit oefensessies per week vir agt weke bygewoon, terwyl die kontrole groep hulle eie oefenprogram gevolg, het wat geen kemstabilteit oefenige ingesluit het nie. Die eksperimentele groep het beduidende beter gevaar in twee van die kemstabiliteit toetse na die oefenprogram (p < 0.05). Daar was geen ander beduidende verbeterings in die kemstabiliteit en balanstoetse in die ekperimentele of kontrole groep nie. Daar was ook geen beduidende verbeterings in die naellry toetse vir albei die eksperimentele en kontrole groep vir voor-en-na oefenprogram nie. In die submaksimale toets, het die eksperimentele groep onder onstabiele omstandighede, 'n beduidende verbetering vertoon in gemiddelde krag uitset, met 'n afname in suurstofverbruik, hartspoed en minuutventilasie na die oefenprogram (p < 0.05). Dit wil voorkom asof 'n kemspieroefeningsprogram 'n positiewe effek op kemstabiliteit het, wat ook die roei ekonomie van 'n roeier gedurende submaksimale oefenig verbeter. Dit is moontlik die keuse van oefening in die kemspieroefeningsprogram wat die rede is vir die verhoed van verbetering in the onstabiele naellry in die eksperimentele groep.
Description
Thesis (MSpor) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
Muscle strength, Physical education and training, Canoes and canoeing -- Training, Canoeists, Dissertations -- Sport science
Citation