posted on 2014-06-12, 15:53authored byBenderi Dasril
The main purpose of this study was to develop and assess an on-land training aid
for learning balance in sprint kayaking. The literature has shown the importance
of biomechanical analysis and how training aids can provide a beneficial part in
the learning process of new skills. An on-water experimental analysis was
conducted on experienced paddlers to establish the kinematic characteristics and
the centre of rotation position of the kayak-paddler system. From this analysis it
was found that the kayak rolling motion is dependent on the paddler’s ability and
the centre of rotation of the kayak paddler system relative to the seat of the kayak
was found to be between 10 cm – 13 cm above the seat. Findings from this
analysis were interpreted into technical requirements and integrated into the
design of the training aid. Once built the training aid prototype was evaluated by a
series of testing and modification to enhance its ability to replicate the on-water
kayak. The evaluation data showed that the stationary sprint kayak on-water
medial-lateral rolling motion is affected by weight variations and further evaluation
demonstrated that the training aid has the ability to replicate the motion for
different weights. An experimental assessment on a group of beginners was
carried out and the results showed that the training aid was able to facilitate the
learning of balance in sprint kayaking. The experimental subjects who used the
balance training aid had the same total number of sessions as the control
subjects who learned to balance in the actual sprint kayak (experimental, 9 + 1
sessions; control, 9 + 1 sessions). However, the experimental subjects only spent
half of the total number of sessions learning on-water (4 + 1 sessions) and the
other half on the training aid (5 + 1 sessions).