AN ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF COMPETITIVE CANOE SLALOM Adam Hunter Thesis presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Canberra Faculty of Health June 2010 © Adam Hunter 2010 ABSTRACT This thesis investigated the technical and tactical aspects of competitive canoe slalom with a view to provide information that could assist coaches and athletes in enhancing performance and designing training programs that are grounded in scientific research. To achieve these goals two methodology projects and five studies were undertaken. A customised competition analysis program (CAP) and standardised set of operational definitions were developed. Assessment of the intra-observer and inter-observer reliability (> 78%) of data gathered using this system was within the limits considered acceptable in previous research. In addition to CAP, a paddle force analysis program was developed (absolute variance = 5.1 N) which allowed analysis and comparison of paddle force data with CAP data. This thesis investigated the distribution and variability of paddlers in each category from historical information. Results demonstrated that athletes within the top ten in each category were grouped based on the category in which they paddled. Men‟s single canoe (C1M) paddlers were found to regularly complete courses within 105% of the for men‟s single kayak (K1M) time. Competition performances K1M, C1M and women‟s single kayak (K1W) were analysed using the CAP. For a complex gate sequence paddlers using a spin rather than pivot manoeuvre had significantly (p < 0.05) faster split times for the gates before and after the execution of the manoeuvre. Therefore, specific strategies that were beneficial to performance were identified. To understand further the relationship between strategy and performance, six trials for international level K1M (n = 11) and C1M (n = 6) were digitised for a left hand upstream gate. Results showed that there was a strong correlation (r >= 0.89) between boat trajectory and the total time. The boat trajectory of the fastest paddlers were found to be significantly closer (p < 0.05) from the slowest paddlers. The effectiveness of combining paddle force data with CAP data was demonstrated through a case study of a C1M paddler. This amalgamation also showed how the paddler lost time ii around an upstream gate due to an error, demonstrating the link between the force applied to the paddle, the strategy the paddler used and the path they chose. Paddle shaft length was manipulated in a case study involving 12 repeat sprints on flatwater, to improve factors related to canoe slalom performance. Results showed that the shorter shaft allowed the paddler to accelerate the boat more rapidly, a key factor in canoe slalom performance. Dissemination of information to coaches and athletes is the critical link in any analysis process, which is required for beneficial gains to be made from the information. Presentation of an example report demonstrates how this process was facilitated in this thesis. The findings of these studies were related back to a model of critical variables for canoe slalom showing that this thesis was able to provide scientific information into key intrinsic variables which the paddler can influence including: run time, path taken, mean velocity, strokes used, technique, experience, variability and errors. The interactions of these variables and research findings are discussed, then improvements and future research directions presented. iii CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORSHIP OF THESIS Except where acknowledged clearly in footnotes, quotations and the bibliography, I certify that I am the sole author of the thesis submitted today entitled – An Analysis of the Technical Aspects of Competitive Canoe Slalom I certify further that to the best of my knowledge my thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of this thesis. The material in this thesis has not been the basis of an award of any other degree or diploma except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis. The thesis complies with University requirements for a thesis as set out in www.canberra.edu.au/secretariat/goldbook/forms/thesisrqmt.pdf Signature of Candidate Signature of chair of the supervisory panel Date: iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the following people for their input, support and assistance during the course of this study: Firstly, I would like to thank my academic supervisors Dr Margi Böhm, Professor Keith Lyons and Dr Jodie Cochrane for their guidance and encouragement in all aspects of this candidature. Each through their own knowledge have challenged and enlightened me in many areas and for that, I will always be grateful. Thanks to the University of Canberra, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Canoeing Australia for financial support during the course of my work. A huge thanks (and sorry) to Alexi Sachlikidis, Daniel McFarlane, Angela McCombe and Hamish Jeacocke for the early mornings and late nights during testing, for enduring long weekends in Penrith and for climbing in and out of the slippery, slimy, icy cold water to set up the calibration. Thanks to the many colleagues at the AIS for their advice, support, encouragement and willingness to share information. It has been a pleasure to work alongside each of you and has improved my knowledge of biomechanics. Special thanks to Nick Brown, John Baker, and Alison Alcock for critiquing my work along the way. To the coaches of the AIS slalom program, Mike Druce and Miriam Fox, thanks for educating me about the finer details of canoe slalom and for your patience when things didn‟t quite go to plan. Particular thanks goes to the athletes involved in the studies for their time and the effort, which they put into each of the trials. Without their effort, the investigation would not have been a success. Finally thank you to my family and friends, you have supported me in various ways through my journey, it definitely has not been easy, and I deeply appreciate your encouragement, patience and understanding. v DEDICATION To my parents Judy and Roy Hunter and my grandma Doreen Hunter. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS AN ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF COMPETITIVE CANOE SLALOM ..................... I ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................................... II CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORSHIP OF THESIS ........................................................................................... IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. V PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS BY THE CANDIDATE RELEVANT TO THE THESIS ..... VI DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................................... VII TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. VIII LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................... XII LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................... XIX LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................. XXI DEFINITIONS AND NOMENCLATURE ................................................................................................... XXII 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 CURRENT SLALOM COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................... 6 1.3 MOTIVATION FOR A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF CANOE SLALOM ............................................................... 9 1.3.1 Visualisation Skills ........................................................................................................................ 10 1.3.2 Mental Arousal .............................................................................................................................. 10 1.3.3 Physiology of slalom paddlers ...................................................................................................... 11 1.3.4 Body composition of elite slalom paddlers .................................................................................... 11 1.3.5 Technique ...................................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.6 Force Application .......................................................................................................................... 12 1.3.7 Repeatability of Athletic Performance .......................................................................................... 13 1.3.8 Equipment Setup ............................................................................................................................ 13 1.3.9 Augmented information ................................................................................................................