Cohesion and performance in K2 sprint kayaking

• Main Author: Saw, Jia Ning Deborah
• Other Authors: Dr Masato Kawabata
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/65863
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

University kayaking teams are pressed for time to train together and to form ideal K2 crews to compete in competitions. Team boat selection process is tricky and real situation selection can be far from ideal. Hence, there is a need to have more appropriate and realistic guidelines based on the typical demographics of a university team. This study looks into cohesion as a criterion for K2 crew selection as it is a more realistic measure that can be developed, as compared to stroke style and execution. It is hypothesised that a higher cohesion between partners will result in better performance both in an ergometer trial and on water. Eight members, four females and four males, of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Kayak-Canoe Sprint Team participated in the study, permutating to form twelve pairs. Cohesion was measured by use of the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ). An ergometer test and 300m time trial on water was done to assess the pairs. Flow State Scale-2 (FSS-2) was completed after each test. Cohesion, difference in stroke rate (Revolutions per minute [RPM]) and individual proficiency were found to be significantly correlated to performance on water, with r = -.565, -.559 and .531 respectively, n = 24, p < .05. Difference in RPM, beta value -.447, p < .05, was found to be the most important predictor of performance among the three measures. This study suggested cohesion as a possible added criterion in K2 crews and identified a need for further studies to be done to get a more complete picture of measures that would predict performance.