Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis

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dc.contributor.advisorTucker, Rossen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorKarpul, Daviden_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorNoakes, Timothyen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorFisher, Julia Margueriteen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-25T11:43:31Z
dc.date.available2016-01-25T11:43:31Z
dc.date.issued2015en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical referencesen_ZA
dc.description.abstractElite kayakers are required to perform repetitive movements that create strength and flexibility asymmetries in their bodies, making them susceptible to injury. The first portion of this thesis is dedicated to investigating whether a supervised, corrective pre-habilitation programme of the kinetic chain, conducted twice a week for 10 weeks, would reduce these predisposing factors. A group of 19 marathon paddlers were assessed before and after the intervention, with nine of them receiving the intervention. The 10-week intervention programme was found to significantly improve scapular position and kinesis, thoracic spine extension and single arm pulling ability, thus suggesting improved shoulder function and reduced risk of injury. The second portion of the thesis involved novel biomechanical analysis of kayaking on the water and on a kayaking-ergometer. It is the first objective description of the three dimensional movements of the kayak in the literature. Sprint and marathon paddlers performed a 180 metre time trial using an instrumented paddle with an accelerometer and gyroscope attached to the boat for analysis of boat movement characteristics and paddler-generated forces. Similar patterns for paddle torque, boat acceleration and pitch were observed between male sprint paddlers and male marathon paddlers. However, the direction and timing of the roll and the yaw of the boat during the water phase of the kayak stroke differed between these groups of paddlers. In addition, substantial individual variation existed within the group of male marathon paddlers. On the kayaking ergometer, activation patterns of the trunk and pelvic muscles were measured using electromyography during a maximal 200 metre time trial. Gluteus medius, lower trapezius and erector spinae were measured for the first time in maximal kayaking. The latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and external oblique muscles were more active during the contralateral phase than has previously been reported. When these paddlers performed a single arm pull test on the same day, the muscle activation patterns changed, and muscle groups were active according to their anatomical function and what has previously been described. First, variation of movement, flexibility and segmental training of the kinetic chain may be advantageous when incorporated with kayaking training to prevent shoulder injury risk factors in paddlers. Second, individual evaluation of three-dimensional boat kinematics and muscle recruitment timing provides objective insight into an individual's kayak technique, with potential benefits for improving technical performance and mechanical efficiency.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationFisher, J. M. (2015). <i>Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,MRC/UCT RU for Exercise and Sport Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16522en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationFisher, Julia Marguerite. <i>"Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,MRC/UCT RU for Exercise and Sport Medicine, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16522en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationFisher, J. 2015. Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Fisher, Julia Marguerite AB - Elite kayakers are required to perform repetitive movements that create strength and flexibility asymmetries in their bodies, making them susceptible to injury. The first portion of this thesis is dedicated to investigating whether a supervised, corrective pre-habilitation programme of the kinetic chain, conducted twice a week for 10 weeks, would reduce these predisposing factors. A group of 19 marathon paddlers were assessed before and after the intervention, with nine of them receiving the intervention. The 10-week intervention programme was found to significantly improve scapular position and kinesis, thoracic spine extension and single arm pulling ability, thus suggesting improved shoulder function and reduced risk of injury. The second portion of the thesis involved novel biomechanical analysis of kayaking on the water and on a kayaking-ergometer. It is the first objective description of the three dimensional movements of the kayak in the literature. Sprint and marathon paddlers performed a 180 metre time trial using an instrumented paddle with an accelerometer and gyroscope attached to the boat for analysis of boat movement characteristics and paddler-generated forces. Similar patterns for paddle torque, boat acceleration and pitch were observed between male sprint paddlers and male marathon paddlers. However, the direction and timing of the roll and the yaw of the boat during the water phase of the kayak stroke differed between these groups of paddlers. In addition, substantial individual variation existed within the group of male marathon paddlers. On the kayaking ergometer, activation patterns of the trunk and pelvic muscles were measured using electromyography during a maximal 200 metre time trial. Gluteus medius, lower trapezius and erector spinae were measured for the first time in maximal kayaking. The latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and external oblique muscles were more active during the contralateral phase than has previously been reported. When these paddlers performed a single arm pull test on the same day, the muscle activation patterns changed, and muscle groups were active according to their anatomical function and what has previously been described. First, variation of movement, flexibility and segmental training of the kinetic chain may be advantageous when incorporated with kayaking training to prevent shoulder injury risk factors in paddlers. Second, individual evaluation of three-dimensional boat kinematics and muscle recruitment timing provides objective insight into an individual's kayak technique, with potential benefits for improving technical performance and mechanical efficiency. DA - 2015 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2015 T1 - Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis TI - Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16522 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/16522
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationFisher JM. Revealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysis. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,MRC/UCT RU for Exercise and Sport Medicine, 2015 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16522en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentMRC/UCT RU for Exercise and Sport Medicineen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherExercise and Sports Scienceen_ZA
dc.titleRevealing complexities within flat-water kayaking: injury prevention and biomechanical analysisen_ZA
dc.typeDoctoral Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationnamePhDen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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