Canoe White-Water Slalom and Flat-Water Slalom Performance and Lactate Responses

This study aimed to investigate (1) the associations among performances of white-water slalom, flat-water slalom, and the coefficient of variation ratio of white water/flat-water slalom performance, (2) the comparison of the lactate responses between both types of slaloms. Fifteen elite canoeists (age 17.9±3.5 yrs, height 172.5±7.1cm, and weight 63.3±11.7kg) trained at least 4 years were voluntarily participated in this study. All participants performed two experimental trials: flat-water slalom race (FS) and white-water slalom race (WS). The two experimental trials were separated by a 7-day interval. Heart rate (HR) was measured throughout the trials, and capillary blood samples were collected before and after the race for lactate analysis. In the results, significant correlations were found between the performances of WS and FS trials, and also between WS performance and the coefficients of variation in WS/FS trials. Race speed in FS trial was significantly faster than that in WS trial. However, there were no significant differences in HR_(peak) and blood lactate concentrations before and after the race in both experimental trials. The main findings of this study suggest that the better performance in WS appeared to have better stabilities in both WS and FS, and both types of slalom races induced similar intensity and lactate responses.