Byrnes, W. C., & Kearney, J. T. (1997). Aerobic and anaerobic contributions during simulated canoe/kayak sprint events. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 1256.

US kayakers (M = 6; F = 4) and canoeists (N = 2) completed submaximal/maximal tests and simulated 200 m, 500 m, and 1000 m race efforts. Data were pooled revealing the average percentage contribution of aerobic energy to each distance being 36.5%, 63.5%, and 84.5% respectively. Females recorded higher contributions of aerobic energy (40, 69, 86%) than males to each task (37, 62, 82%) supporting the recognized fact that females use more aerobic energy when compared to males in extended-effort tasks.

Implication. The contribution of aerobic energy to canoe/kayak races is extensive. It is dominant in 500 and 1000-m races and higher in females than males.

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