The Importance of Biological Maturation and Years of Practice in Kayaking Performance

Rui António Fernandes, Daniel López-Plaza, Lorena Correas-Gómez, Beatriz Branquinho Gomes and Fernando Alacid
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Rui António Fernandes: Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
Daniel López-Plaza: Sport Medicine Chair, Catholic University of Murcia, 30107 Murcia, Spain
Lorena Correas-Gómez: Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Málaga, Andalucia Tech, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Beatriz Branquinho Gomes: Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
Fernando Alacid: Faculty of Education Sciences, Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Previous canoe sprint studies evaluated the best paddlers of their categories. This investigation aimed to identify the importance of biological maturation and athletes’ experience in kayaking performance and observe possible differences regarding anthropometry, years of practice, and performance. Eighty under 14 years of age (U14) and fifty under 16 years of age (U16) kayakers aged 13.40 ± 0.54 and 15.25 ± 0.61 years were evaluated. Kayakers were assessed for anthropometry (body mass (kg); stretch stature (cm); and sitting height (cm)), performance (time at 3000 m for U14 and 5000 m for U16 kayakers), and somatic maturation (predicted adult height (PAH) and maturity offset). In the U14 kayakers, years of practice, sitting height, and maturity offset showed significant differences ( p < 0.05) between the Top10 and Middle, and Middle and Bottom10 performance times. Significantly higher ( p < 0.05) sitting heights were identified between the Top10 and Middle U16 kayakers. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) were observed for maturity offset and PAH% between the Top10 and Middle groups compared to the Bottom10 group. In conclusion, this research shows differences in the maturity status of young U14 and U16 kayakers, identifying that the more biologically mature individuals, with more years of specific practice, achieved better performances.

Keywords: kayaking; years of practice; maturity; performance; anthropometry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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