Relationship Between Flat-Water Tests and Canoe Slalom Performance on 4 Different Grades of Water Terrain Difficulty

Purpose: To assess the relationship between flat-water tests and canoe slalom performance on 4 different grades of water terrain difficulty. Methods: Nineteen elite canoe slalom athletes racing in category K1 men (n = 7), K1 women (n = 5), or C1 men (n = 7) completed flat-water tests: (1) a sprint with a turn to the preferred side, (2) a sprint with a turn to the nonpreferred side, (3) a sprint with a turn to both sides, and (4) a 12 x 15-m all-out shuttle test. Canoe slalom performance was measured in competitions with 4 different grades of water terrain difficulty. Results: There were relationships between 12 x 15-m all-out shuttle test and performance across different water terrain grades (P<.001; r = .706-.871)); however, the magnitude of the relationship decreased with increasing water terrain grade difficulty. Similar trends were observed for the sprint with a turn to the preferred side (r = .588-.884), sprint with a turn to the nonpreferred side (r = .544-.864), and sprint with a turn to both sides (r = .638-.909). In addition, small to moderate differences were observed between preferred and nonpreferred side in K1 women (P = .050, ES = 0.37), K1 men (P = .019, ES = 0.66), and C1 men (P = .003, ES = 0.69). Conclusion: The novel battery of flatwater tests can be used to measure the performance-related physical fitness of canoe slalom athletes. Sprint with a turn to the preferred side and sprint with a turn to the nonpreferred side can also be used to assess the imbalance between an athlete's preferred and nonpreferred side. Accordingly, to our findings, practitioners could consider adapting the training program in preparation for important competitions specifically to water terrain difficulty grades where these competitions will be organized.