Since 1994 the 200 m event has been included in the international and world championship sprint kayak racing programme. As a result, the shortest duration event has been reduced from approximately 1 min 40 sec for elite men`s K1 500 m to less than 40 sec. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence and some scientific research (e.g. Tesch et al., 1976; Fry and Morton, 1991) demonstrating that the differences in the physiological demands and requirements of the 1,000 m and 500 m events are fairly subtle. However, with this much shorter event it is expected that quite different demands will be imposed upon the paddler. The fact that very few data have been published regarding this event has prompted such research. The aims of the current research were: - to determine the physiological responses to 200 m kayak racing - to identify the anthropometric(2) and physiological profile of 200 m kayakers of a range of abilities, and to determine the relationship of these with performance - to question whether these findings could be used to prescribe an effective 200 m training programme In addition, in order to determine the physiological characteristics of paddlers it was necessary to identify a suitable kayak ergometer. The conclusions of this research are as follows: - The 200 m event requires a large contribution of both aerobic and anaerobic energy and therefore paddlers must address both of these in their training plan - Elite 200 m paddlers are characterised by high levels of muscularity and muscle strength, very high levels of speed and speed endurance, and perhaps surprisingly, well developed capacities for endurance exercise - These data can be used to prescribe specific 200 m training - The K1 ERGO is a suitable ergometer for the physiological assessment of paddlers
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