Introduction: In kayak and canoe paddlers the shoulder is the joint with the highest physical demands and incidence of injury. The aim of this study is to compare the strength of the flexor and extensors muscle groups of the shoulder in kayak and canoe paddlers with a control group, by means of an analysis of the equilibrium between the antagonists. Materials and methodes: A total of 35 international competitive flatwater paddlers (15 male kayak, 10 male canoe and 10 female kayak) between 15 and 20 years of age, without shoulder pain, and 33 students (18 males, 15 females) consented to participate in our study. The evaluation of the flexion and extension muscles was conducted on a KIN-CON AP Chattanooga isokinetic dynamometer. Concentric peak torque measures of the dominant and non-dominant shoulder were performed at the speed of 60º/s in seated position. The range of motion has been established between 30º-150º (horizontal = 90º) in the scapular plane. Flexion/extension ratios were calculated. Results: We observe significantly different values (p<0,05) between the dominant and non-dominant side in the male canoe paddlers. No differences were noted in the group of kayak paddlers (both male and female) and in the control group. The comparison of peak torque between the groups shows signi ficant differences between the female kayak paddlers and the control group on both sides in extension (p<0,001) and flexion (p<0,05). In the flexion/extension ratio all groups show values below the normality value of 0,80, with values between 0,55 (female kayak paddlers) and 0,76 (male canoe paddlers). Conclusions: The differences between dominant and non-dominant side in the canoe paddlers are because of the unilateral nature of this sport. The mayor involvement of the extensor muscles in the technical movement in both kayak and canoe paddling is likely to be the cause of the disequilibrium between the muscle groups and the tendency to injuries. We observe the need to involve in a specific training program to improve the muscle balance to prevent shoulder injuries in kayak and canoe paddlers.
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