FUNCTIONAL DATA ANALYSIS: A NEW METHOD TO INVESTIGATE PACING STRATEGIES IN ELITE CANOE KAYAK SPRINT

The purpose of this study was to investigate pacing strategies used by elite flatwater canoe kayak sprint athletes in 12 Olympic events. Boat velocity data for canoe and kayak A-final races were extracted from the International Canoe Federation’s website for five major international competitions during the 2016 and 2017 seasons (n=374 boats; n=87 races). Principal component analysis was used to determine pacing strategies in 200, 500, and 1000 m races. Differences in pacing strategies between medalists and non-medalists were found only in 1000 m races. These findings reflected overall differences in boat velocity but also the timing of changes in boat velocity throughout the 1000 m race. This research shows that certain pacing strategies are associated with more success in canoe kayak sprint during long duration races