This study investigated 8 canoe athletes to determine boat movements during 500m canoe sprint using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), and aimed to evaluate the relationship between each parameter and racing results. The findings are as follows:
1) During the first half of the race, improving Stroke Rate (SR) and Distance Per Stroke (DPS) influenced increase in Boat Speed (BS). For the second half of the race, the decrease of BS was suggested to be influenced by the decrease in SR, which was resulted by the increase in drive phase and recovery phase.
2) The athletesʼ paddling types could be classified using the T-Scores of each parameter obtained from DGPS. Therefore this classification enabled comprehensive evaluation of performance factors unique to canoe racing, e.g., relationship between their DPS and SR, and course changes. Thus, it could be a useful tool to customize the training programs for each individual athlete.
