IS THE VELOCITY PERTURBATION METHOD SUITABLE FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE USEFUL MECHANICAL POWER OUTPUT OF SPRINT KAYAKERS IN OUTDOOR CONDITIONS?

Authors

Marcel Mourao Rossi, Singapore Sport Institute, SingaporeFollow
Nur Sabrina Shamsul, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Shigetada Kudo, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore
Desmond Boey, Singapore Sport Institute, Singapore

Category

Water Sports

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

This study assessed whether the Useful Mechanical Power Output (P_MO) estimated using the Velocity Perturbation Method (VPM) would be a valid biomechanical measure of performance enhancement in sprint kayaking that would not be affected by changes in environmental conditions. Twelve national-age K1 sprint kayakers performed twelve trials each of 60m maximal effort sprints within two separate sessions, six of which were conducted while towing a hydrodynamic object of known resistance. The opposing wind condition in each trial was recorded and classified as either mild or strong. The sprint velocities at towing-free and towing conditions under similar wind velocities and the resistance of the hydrodynamic object were matched to estimate the P_MO. Non-significant differences in P_MO between mild and strong wind conditions were observed. However, the typical error of P_MO in both wind conditions were larger than 26% of the mean values, which hindered the ability of the P_MO to detect the smallest worthwhile enhancement that would be valuable for high-performance kayak sprinting.

Recommended Citation

Mourao Rossi, Marcel; Shamsul, Nur Sabrina; Kudo, Shigetada; and Boey, Desmond (2022) "IS THE VELOCITY PERTURBATION METHOD SUITABLE FOR THE CALCULATION OF THE USEFUL MECHANICAL POWER OUTPUT OF SPRINT KAYAKERS IN OUTDOOR CONDITIONS?," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 40: Iss. 1, Article 119.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol40/iss1/119