Is passive drag dependent on the interaction of kayak design and paddler weight in flat-water kayaking?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Gomes, BB (Author) Other; Conceicao, FAV (Author) Other; Pendergast, DR (Author) Other; Sanders, RH (Author) Other; Mário Vaz (Author) FEUP; Campos, João Paulo Vilas Boas (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Sports Biomechanics

Vol. 14

Pages: 394-403

ISSN: 1476-3141

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00J-ZNM

DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2015.1090475

Abstract (EN): Drag is one of the major factors that influences kayaking performance. To focus on the drag of the kayak's hull shape and the paddlers' weight per se, the passive drag (D-p) was measured on a flat-water sprint course for one paddler with added weights. D-p was measured by an electromechanical towing device using a load cell, at incremental and constant velocities from 2.78 to 5.56m/s. Three kayaks of different sizes and shapes (Nelo (R) K1 Quattro-M, ML, and L) were used and the paddlers' body weight was adjusted with weights so the total paddler weight in the kayak was 65, 75, and 85kg. The mean D-p increased by the power function of D=kv(n) (mean R-2=.990; SD .006). The D-p went from 21.37 +/- 1.29N at 2.78m/s to 89.32 +/- 6.43N at 5.56m/s. For the two lighter weighted kayaks (65 and 75kg), the lowest D-p was observed with different kayak sizes (M, ML, or L) depending on the target velocity. The manufacturers suggest that paddlers should select a kayak size according to their body weight to minimise drag; however, the results of this study suggest that target velocities, and thus competition distance should also be factored into kayak selection.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10