Morphological Models of Highly Skilled Paddlers in Kayaks and Canoes

Abstract

Introduction. Morphological characteristics of a person – one of the genetically determined factors, most fully and clearly defines individual specificity for the assessment of human performance in a particular sport. The aim is to investigate the morphofunctional features of highly qualified rowers and canoes. Research methods – the strongest Belarusian rowers-winners and winners of the Olympic Games, World and European Championships 2012–2017 were surveyed. A total of 94 athletes were surveyed, 54 were male, of which 7 athletes were masters of sport, 39 were masters of sports of international class, 8 were honored masters of sports and 40 women, of whom 14 were masters of sports, 26 were masters of sports of international class. The comprehensive examination included anthropometric measurements of total, longitudinal, transverse body sizes, diameters, girths, special measurements (O. Popescu tests) and analysis of body mass components. Results. A morphofunctional survey of highly skilled rowers of both sexes found that men specializing in kayaking had greater morphological features of body length, torso length and arm span than highly skilled canoe rowers. The canoeists are ahead of the kayakers in terms of jelly, wrist dynamometer and percentage of muscle mass. Kayak women had better results than their peers in canoes, on almost all indicators except muscle mass, jelly and a wrist dynamometer. Conclusions. For rowing on kayaks and canoes, the most informative are the following indicators: body length, arm length, arm span, body length, kneeling with arms outstretched, the length of the torso sitting up and the length of the torso to the 7th cervical vertebra.