Longitudinal study of the anthropometric profile and functional capacity of twelve high-level competitive kayakers from cadet to senior category

The aim of the study was to determine the anthropometric profile and maximum aerobic power of the paddler, by analysing the development of these from cadet to senior category and their relationship to genetic variance and sporting data. This was carried out by following twelve paddlers, in the categories cadet (15.9 ± 0.3 years), junior (17.3 ± 0.5 years), under-23 (20.5 ± 1.2 years) and senior (26.8 ± 2.6 years). The anthropometric protocol included 25 variables, performing studies of body composition, somatotype and proportionality. Participants performed a treadmill exercise test to determine their aerobic fitness level, the VO₂max (l/min⁻¹) represented the maximum aerobic power. The paddlers continued to develop their upper body circumferences up to the under-23 category and from there also their thorax and arm circumferences up to the senior category. The increase of muscular mass was 5.1 ± 2.1 kg. Balanced mesomorphy was predominant in the senior category. The range of VO₂max was 4.6 and 5.8 l/min⁻¹ in the senior and under-23 categories. The best performance was characterised by tall height due to trunk length, greater relative arm span, high upper body musculoskeletal development, low body fat, high lean mass and muscle mass in relation to size, balanced mesomorphy and higher maximum aerobic power.