A new approach to assess canoe performance through Functional Electromechanical Dynamometry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive capacity of Functional Electromechanical Dynamometry (FEMD) for sprint canoe performance. Twenty-one world-class sprint canoeists underwent two FEMD assessments (isometric and incremental load) in the sprint canoe-specific kneeling position. Race performance was assessed via official C1 500-m race times. Significant negative correlations were observed between 500 m race time and both mean force (r= -0.72; p=0.001) and peak force (r= -0.71; p=0.001) measured through the isometric dynamometric test. In the incremental test, a strong negative correlation was found between race time and the number of strokes (Nreps) (r= -0.85; p=0.001), as well as absolute peak force (r=-0.80; p=0.001). These relationships remained significant when force values were adjusted for body mass. The strongest predictive model (R2^a=0.73) included the number of strokes from the incremental load test (C1 500-m race time = 170.30 - 3.29 Nreps). These findings support the use of FEMD as a valid and sport-specific tool for assessing neuromuscular performance in elite sprint canoeists.