30
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37
Abstract
The aim of the study was to ascertain whether the one and/or
bi-cycle training periodisation was accompanied by similar one
and/or bi-cycle adaptation. Two groups of paddlers of the Slo-
vene national team in slalom wild water kayak: an »Olympic«
group of three paddlers and »Non-Olympic« group of four
paddlers, who did not qualify to the Olympic Games, partici-
pated in a one year follow-up throughout the Olympic com-
petition season. The Olympic group had bi-cycle and the
NonOlympic group one-cycle training periodisation. They per-
formed the two tests several times throughout the Olympic
season. In the incremental testing protocol (ITP) the velocity
determined by Lactate Threshold (v
LT
), Onset of Blood Lacta-
te Accumulation (v
OBLA
) and maximal velocity (v
max
) charac-
teristics were used. The second was test of »Eight«, where the
time of completing the test (t
8
), heart rate (HR
8
), and lactate
concentration (LA
8
) were used. The results showed that velo-
cities v
LT
, v
OBLA
and v
max
did not differentiate the groups. In
the Olympic group periodisation showed an unexpected mo-
nocyclic response with very small changes. In the Non-Olym-
pic group, the paddlers’ response periodisation was closer to
monocyclic expectations. Time t
8
fluctuated in a bi-cycle man-
ner in both groups. This was expected for the Olympic group
but was not accompanied by monocyclic changes of training
in the Non-Olympic group. Of the other characteristics, LA
8
and pH
8
showed expected fluctuations in both groups. The
study showed an absence of a typically significant relationship
between training periodisation and periodisation of the selec-
ted characteristics of basic paddlers’ performance in the two
groups of the highest level of international wild water kaya-
kers. Therefore, the practical application of training-based pe-
riodisation seems not to be always accurate in top level sport.
Key words: wild water kayak, slalom, training periodisation,
paddlers’ response periodisation
Anton Ušaj
University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Sport
Laboratory of Biodynamics
Gortanova 22
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel: +386 1 520-77-00
Fax: + 386 1 520-77-50
E mail: anton.usaj@guest.arnes.si
Izvleček
Cilj naloge je bil ugotoviti ali je vadbena ciklizacija, ocenjena
s pomočjo kazalcev količine in intenzivnosti vadbe v skupini
kajakašev na divjih vodah v slalomu, ki so nastopili na Olimpij-
skih igrah (Olympic) in tistih, ki se niso uvrstili na to tekmova-
nje (Non-Olympic) skladna z ciklizacijo učinkov vadbe: kazal-
cev osnovne vzdržljivosti in osnovne hitrostne vzdržljivosti.
Vadba prve skupine (trije udeleženci Olimpijskih iger) je na-
mreč imela značilnosti dvojne, vadba druge skupine (štirje čla-
ni nacionalne ekipe, ki je nastopala v svetovnem pokalu) pa
enojne ciklizacije. Opravili so dva testa: prvi, večstopenjski
obremenilni test (ITP) in test »Eight«, oba na mirni vodi. Za oce-
no osnovne vzdržljivosti so v ITP uporabljeni laktatni prag (LP),
prag izraženega povečanja laktata (OBLA) in največja obreme-
nitev (v
max
). V testu »Eight« so za oceno osnovne hitrostne vz-
držljivosti uporabljeni čas veslanja (t
8
), frekvenca srca (HR
8
),
vsebnost laktata (LA
8
) in pH krvi (pH
8
). Rezultati naloge kaže-
jo, da hitrosti veslanja v
LP
, v
OBLA
in v
max
ne razlikujejo obeh
skupin. V skupini Olympic ciklizacija učinkov vadbe kaže ne-
pričakovano en cikel z zelo majhnimi spremembami. V skupi-
ni Non-Olympic so ravno tako značilnosti ciklizacije bliže enoj-
nemu ciklu, ki je pričakovan. V testu »Eight«, čas t
8
fluktuira v
obliki dvojne ciklizacije in sicer v obeh skupinah. To je priča-
kovano za skupino Olympic, toda v nasprotju s pričakovanim
odzivom enojne ciklizacije skupine Non-Olympic. Druge zna-
čilnosti: LA
8
in pH
8
kažejo pričakovane fluktuacije obeh sku-
pin, toda z zmanjšanim spreminjanjem pH
8
. Raziskava kaže
odsotnost tipične povezave med osnovnimi značilnostmi vad-
bene ciklizacije in izbranimi značilnostmi ciklizacije učinkov
vadbe športnikov visokega mednarodnega nivoja. Torej je
praktična uporaba vadbene ciklizacije, ki naj bi povzročila
predvidljivo cikličnost sprememb osnovne vzdržljivosti in os-
novne hitrostne vzdržljivosti v vrhunskem športu dejansko do-
kaj omejena. 
Ključne besede: kajak na divjih vodah, slalom, vadbena cikli-
zacija, ciklizacija učinkov vadbe 
KINETICS OF BASIC ENDURANCE AND BASIC
SPEED ENDURANCE CHARACTERISTICS
THROUGHOUT ONE OLYMPIC SEASON 
IN WHITE WATER SLALOM KAYAK
ČASOVNI POTEK VREDNOSTI KAZALCEV OSNOVNE
VZDRŽLJIVOSTI IN OSNOVNE HITROSTNE VZDRŽLJIVOSTI
SKOZI ENO OLIMPIJSKO TEKMOVALNO SEZONO V SLALOMU
KAJAKA NA DIVJIH VODAH
Anton Ušaj
(Received: 12. 04. 2002 – Accepted: 12. 09. 2002)

INTRODUCTION
The competitive season in white water kayak sla-
lom starts with a preparatory period, usually in No-
vember (sometimes also in the second half of Oc-
tober) and finishes with the final competitions in
September (Vest, 1996). The preparatory period
lasts all of November, December and January. Ba-
sic endurance and strength type training are cha-
racteristic for this period. Training is performed
mainly on flat or slowly moving water and by using
other non-specific possibilities of training: cross
country skiing, running, fitness. It continues with a
pre-competition period in February, March and
April. The training characteristically changes, to be
specific for white water slalom paddling in a domi-
nant part. The specific speed endurance and po-
wer training increased, with a reduction of basic
endurance and strength training (tapering cycle).
The main part of training is performed on wild wa-
ter and through gates. The competition period be-
gins in May (April). Training is concentrated main-
ly on preparations for competitions. The schedule
of World Cup competitions is the main factor,
which determines training characteristics of prepa-
rations for a specific competition. Therefore the pe-
riodisation is mainly influenced by this series of
competitions. Usually, the competitions are more
or less uniformly distributed. Therefore, training pe-
riodisation mainly consists of one competition cy-
cle (Bompa, 1999). When very important compe-
titions are included in the competitive season, then
the date of this competition may have very drama-
tic influence on training schedule and periodisa-
tion, which may change to two cycle periodisation
(two competition cycles) (Bompa, 1999). The
Olympic Games is such a competition where perio-
disation is usually changed, according to training
characteristics (Bompa, 1999). This, the most im-
portant competition, is usually under special care of
preparation of sportsmen of all. Therefore two-cy-
cle training periodisation is characteristic for such
a competition period (Bompa, 1999; Vest, 1996).
In spite of clear two-cycle periodisation of the
Olympic competitive season, which may be asses-
sed from the time course of training volume and
intensity, it is more important that the adaptations
of paddlers’ performance and biological adapta-
tion as well also follows the training cycles (the
paddlers’ response periodisation). It is expected
that the second cycle of responses should be more
dramatic and in time of the Olympic Games. Ho-
wever, because of a possibility of very different res-
ponse times of specific adaptations, which may oc-
cur very early after a certain training cycle or may
be delayed, it is not possible to predict accurately
the response of specific characteristics. Similarly al-
so training adaptation of complex characteristics
such as psychomotor performances, which are
strongly influenced by emotions, cannot be accu-
rately predicted (Vest, 1996). Therefore, dependent
on individual training adaptations, it may be possib-
le that the specific response to similar training may
be different in its magnitude and also timing espe-
cially for high performance athletes when very
small changes of training response occur. Therefo-
re, the specific adaptations may not be clearly and
simply assessed as in controlled training studies,
where untrained subjects were usually used. The
question is whether the training adaptations that
occurred in a controlled training experiment and
monotonous training will be the same for top level
sport training of kayakers, who performed complex
training. 
Our special interest was placed on two basic trai-
ning assumptions. The first assumption relates to
the belief that high training volume and low-to-me-
dium intensity influences the increase of enduran-
ce performance but does not influence significantly
the increase of speed endurance. The second as-
sumption related to »tapering«: the reduction of
training volume and significant increase of its in-
tensity increases speed endurance. If one looks at
the entire competitive season, the changes of trai-
ning characteristics and changes of specific cha-
racteristics of adaptations and performances of
sportsmen, show periodisation. Our interest and
the aim of the study was to ascertain if basic cyclic
changes of training characteristics (training perio-
disation) corresponded to cyclic changes of speci-
fic training response of subjects (periodisation of
paddlers response) who prepared and competed at
the Olympic Games. The hypothesis we verified
was that training periodisation may not always inf-
luence periodisation of paddlers’ response in the
predicted manner for a group of high performan-
ce paddlers. 
METHODS
Two groups of paddlers: group Olympic of three
paddlers who qualified for the Olympic Games in
the white water kayak slalom Slovene national team
31
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37

(age 23±4 years; height 183±6 cm; weight 81±4
kg) and group Non-Olympic of four members of
the national slalom team who failed to qualify for
the Olympic Games, however competed success-
fully at the international level (age 21±3 years;
height 184±5 cm; weight 79±6 kg), participated in
the study.
Both groups trained equally until the end of quali-
fication competitions in June. Training consisted of
a preparatory period (November, December and
January), pre-competition period (February, March
and April) and competition period (May to Octo-
ber) (Fig. 1). The dominant characteristic of the pre-
paratory period was large volume of endurance
and strength training. Endurance training consisted
of lower intensity, somewhere between the limits of
heart rate (HR) determined by criterions Lactate
Threshold (LT) and Onset of Blood Lactate Accu-
mulation (OBLA), dependent on their duration and
intensity of training: paddling on flat or slow mo-
ving water, cross-country skiing and running.
Strength training was focused to influence more its
endurance component by using classical circuit
training, whole body variations. The aim of the trai-
ning was to increase basic endurance performan-
ce. The following, pre-competition period consi-
sted of more intense and lower volume training.
The volume of endurance training decreased with
no change in its intensity. The volume of speed en-
durance training increased. Its intensity quickly in-
creased close to maximal. In general, the total trai-
ning volume decreased in exchange to an increase
of training intensity (tapering). Training used speci-
fic kayak–slalom characteristics on wild-water. The
aim of the training was improvement of speed-en-
durance (power and speed) and to keep enduran-
ce on a steady level. The competition period starts
in May with international competitions. Some of
them are also qualifications for selection to the
Olympic team. Training was specific and consisted
characteristically of preparations for the competi-
tions. The Olympic group changed their training
characteristics when the qualification period was
over. Training changes to a second shorter cycles of
32
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37
Fig. 1
Relative training volume, represented as a % of the sum of relative values of basic endurance and basic speed endurance training,
showed typical bi–cyclic periodisation in the Olympic and monocyclic periodisation in the Non-Olympic group. Relative training in-
tensity, which was based on calculated paddling velocities at each training session and compared with the best result during the
whole competitive season, showed bi–cyclic periodisation in the Olympic and monocyclic periodisation in the Non-Olympic group.

intense basic training and pre–competition training
with the goal to increase, for the second time, the
basic endurance and speed endurance to the hig-
hest possible level and transform the attained level
for use in competition situations with special trai-
ning and also some competitions. Training charac-
teristics showed a bi-cycle competition season (Fig.
1A and 1B). These groups concentrate to train furt-
her for the Olympics in September. The Non-Olym-
pic group continued to compete at the internatio-
nal level (Fig. 1C and 1D). Their training showed a
one–cycle competition season. Both groups trai-
ned under the program of the national coach.   
Both groups performed two tests on flat water: in-
cremental testing protocol (ITP) for assessing the
adaptation in biological background of basic endu-
rance performance and test of eight (EIGHT),
which was a typical exercise for assessment of ba-
sic speed endurance performance. The ITP consi-
sted of 5 repetitions of a 600 m distance with con-
trolled intensity, which is made possible by using
fixed, pre determined HR of 110, 130, 150, 165 and
maximal possible intensity. The rest between each
600 m repetition was about 1 min (blood sam-
pling). The test EIGHT consisted of all-out paddling
over a 200 m distance in a manner of the number
8 through two gates, separated by 50m. 
During ITP the heart rate (HR) was continuously
measured by using Polar Sport Tester (Polar, Fin-
land). Additionally, capillary blood samples (10 µl)
were taken from hyperaemic ear lobe immediately
after each 600 m distance and measured for lacta-
te concentration (LA) by using MINI 8 Photometer
(dr. Lange, Germany). 
During the test EIGHT, the time for completing the
test was measured by using a stopwatch, HR was
continuously measured at 5 s intervals and LA was
measured before and after the test.
LT, OBLA and maximal characteristics in ITP were
used for final analysis. Paddling velocity (v
LT
and
v
OBLA
),  HR (HR
LT
and HR
OBLA
) and LA (LA
LT
) were
calculated by using criterions Lactate Threshold
(Beaver, Wasserman, & Whipp, 1985; Ušaj, 1990;
Ušaj, 1998a; Ušaj, 1998b) and Onset of Blood Lac-
tate Accumulation (Karlsson, & Jacobs, 1982; Ušaj,
1998a; Ušaj, 1998b). Additionally, maximal values
of velocity (v
max
), LA (LA
max
) and HR (HR
max
) were
also used for further analysis (Ušaj, 1998a; Ušaj,
1998b).
The time for completing the test EIGHT (t
8
), end
HR (HR
8
) and end LA (LA
8
) were used for further
analysis (Ušaj, 1998a; Ušaj, 1998b).
The differences between the Olympic and the Non-
Olympic groups were calculated by using repea-
ted T-test with a level of significance of P<0.05. The
time course curves of the used characteristics
throughout the Olympic season were fitted by us-
ing 4
th
grade polynomial. This was also the charac-
teristic of specific periodisation in the Olympic
group. Differently, the Non-Olympic group perio-
disation was expected to be monocyclic, but we
were not sure. Therefore, the same model was used
because it may be applied to bi-cycle and mo-
nocycle response, dependent on the calculated be-
ta coefficients’ values of curves which would be
very low, when monocycle curve would be calcu-
lated. Using logical relationships based on the theo-
retical assumptions made, a comparison between
estimation of training periodisation and calculated
curves of training response was made.
RESULTS
The frequency of testing by ITP followed the prac-
tical point of view and applied it as an additional
tool of training planning. Therefore, the test was re-
peated more frequently during the preparatory pe-
riod and less during the competitive one (Table 1,
Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The Olympic and the Non-
Olympic groups did not differ in the observed cha-
racteristics throughout the Olympic competition
season (Table 1). 
This practical point of view was followed also in the
test EIGHT; this test was repeated more frequently
during pre–competition than in the competition
periods (Table 2, Fig. 5). Again, the Olympic and
Non-Olympic groups were not different in the ob-
served characteristics throughout the Olympic
competition season (Table 2). In spite of non-signi-
ficant differences, HR
8
showed a tendency to be
lower in the Olympic group (Table 2, Fig. 5). Addi-
tionally, LA
8
showed a tendency to be higher in the
Olympic group in July and September (Table 2, Fig.
5). Blood pH
8
did not show the expected mirrored
picture (Fig. 5). 
When time course changes of v
lt
, v
OBLA
and v
max
(Fig. 2) were compared to changes of general trai-
ning characteristics during the basic endurance pe-
riod (November, December and January) (Fig. 1),
then unexpectedly no changes of parameters can
33
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37

34
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37
NOV. DEC. JAN. MARCH MAY JULY
LT v
LT
(m/s) 2.23 ± 0.06 2.19 ± 0.06 2.19 ± 0.05 2.21 ± 0.05 2.25 ± 0.02 2.26 ± 0.02
2.17 ± 0.03 2.19 ± 0.04 2.17 ± 0.04 2.20 ± 0.05 2.24 ± 0.05 2.27 ± 0.04
HR
LT
142 ± 3 135 ± 5 142 ± 12 135 ± 6 138 ± 4 139 ± 3
(b/min) 146 ± 5 141 ± 2 140 ± 4 144 ± 8 142 ± 5 146 ± 6
OBLA v
OBLA
2.30 ± 0.03 2.32 ± 0.04 2.28 ± 0.01 2.33 ± 0.05 2.34 ± 0.04 2.36 ± 0.04
(m/s) 2.25 ± 0.09 2.31 ± 0.05 2.28 ± 0.05 2.32 ± 0.06 2.35 ± 0.07 2.36 ± 0.09
HR
OBLA
152 ± 5 151 ± 4 154 ± 1 150 ± 5 153 ± 4 154 ± 4
(b/min) 156 ± 5 155 ± 6 154 ± 6 159 ± 5 159 ± 5 160 ± 5
max v
max
2.57 ± 0.01 2.57 ± 0.04 2.52 ± 0.01 2.59 ± 0.04 2.65 ± 0.01 2.65 ± 0.3
(m/s) 2.54 ± 0.11 2.57 ± 0.05 2.50 ± 0.05 2.57 ± 0.07 2.58 ± 0.10 2.60 ± 0.15
HR
max
183 ± 1 181 ± 3 183 ± 6 181 ± 5 184 ± 7 191 ± 6
(b/min) 153 ± 5 182 ± 3 178 ± 9 187 ± 3 184 ± 2 185 ± 3
LA
max
15 ±1 14.3 ± 1.7 15.7 ± 2.3 14.1 ± 0.9 14.5 ± 0.5 14.6 ± 1.2
(mmol/l) 13.3 ±10 13.2 ± 1.7 14.7 ± 1.1 15.2 ± 2.3 14.4 ± 2.0 13.9 ± 1.5
p-H
min
7.21 ± 0.02 7.19 ± 0.03 7.22 ± 0.01 7.21 ± 0.02 7.20 ± 0.02 7.19 ± 0.03
7.22 ± 1.01 7.21 ± 0.01 7.19 ± 0.01 7.19 ± 0.04 7.19 ± 0.04 7.19 ± 0.02
LEGEND: For abbreviations see the text
Results in upper lines of each cell are the results of Olympic, in lower lines of the Non-Olympic group
Fig. 2
The periodisation of velocities v
LT
, v
OBLA
and v
max
showed very
small fluctuations. When type of the time course of each velo-
city was estimated for a certain type of training response perio-
disations, then monocyclic periodisation showed for both the
Olympic and the Non-Olympic group.
Fig. 3
When HR fluctuations were observed at the level of LT, OBLA
and maximal intensity, then changes were practically negligible.
No characteristic type of periodisation can be seen from the
available data for the Olympic and the Non-Olympic group.
Table 1: BASIC STATISTICAL DATA FROM THE INCREMENTAL TESTING PROTOCOL

be assessed in contrast to an increase in enduran-
ce training volume. HR
LT
, HR
OBLA
and HR
max
gene-
rally followed the tendency of no changes (Fig. 3).
Only LA
max
, showed increased values in the Non-
Olympic group but not in the Olympic group (Fig.
4). Blood pH
min
accompanied LA
max
changes in
the Non-Olympic group and in the Olympic group
(relatively values) (Fig. 4) in this period. Surprisingly,
the most dramatic changes occurred in t
8
in spite
of absence of such training. Both groups show very
similar changes (Fig. 5). HR
8
showed a tendency
for decreasing in spite of the increase of velocity in
this test (Fig. 5). This is valid for the Olympic group.
However, the results in the Non-Olympic group
were stationary. LA
8
increased in both groups,
which may be expected from the increased padd-
ling velocity in this test. pH
8
logically accompanied
LA
8
changes in this period, however with a smaller
magnitude (Fig. 5).
Velocities v
LT
, v
OBLA
and v
max
of both groups sho-
wed a continuous tendency for increasing during
the pre–competition cycle (February, March and
April), which continued in the competition cycle,
until July (Fig. 2). This was in contrast to training
characteristics, which showed a clear decrease of
volume of endurance training but increased volu-
me of speed endurance training, which was more
intense. Nevertheless, the phenomenon was welco-
me. Changes of HR
LT
, HR
OBLA
and HR
max
in both
groups did not accompany changes of velocities in
35
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37
Fig. 4
Time course of LAmax fluctuations in the test ITP showed negli-
gible fluctuations in the Olympic group, without supporting any
type of training response periodisation. In the Non-Olympic
group training response periodisation may show monocyclic res-
ponse. The training response periodisation assessed by the time
course analysis of pHmin data may show a bi–cyclic training res-
ponse in the Olympic group. In the Non-Olympic group, the
time course of pHmin showed monocyclic training response.
Fig. 5
Time course of t8 showed characteristically a bi–cyclic periodi-
sation in the Olympic group, which was expected, and similarly
in the Non-Olympic group, which was unexpected, because of
monocyclic training periodisation. Heart rate (HR
8
) did not
show any type of characteristic periodisation. However, for the
Olympic group, the initial decrease of HR
8
showed relatively lar-
ge adaptation if increase of paddling speed is also taken into
account. Thereafter, HR
8
increased linearly, which may also be
some kind of monocyclic periodisation. The time course in the
Non-Olympic group did not show any typical periodisation. Ho-
wever, this did not mean that adaptations did not occur: simi-
lar HR
8
at increased velocity of paddling means positive adap-
tation. LA
8
showed characteristically a bi–cyclic periodisation in
the Olympic group and a non–typical but visible monocyclic pe-
riodisation in the Non-Olympic group. Both periodisation types
were expected. pH
8
showed non–typical, but not expected
(bi–cyclic training periodisation) monocyclic periodisation in the
Olympic group, which was however positive. In the Non-Olym-
pic group, the periodisation may be also assessed as monocyc-
lic. This was the expected periodisation for this group.

spite of their fluctuations (Fig. 3).  LA
max
fluctuated
relatively stationary to July in the Olympic group in
contrast to LA
max
of the Non-Olympic group which
reached its top values in March (Fig. 4). Then, it de-
creased to the lowest values in July. Blood pH
min
decreased to July in the Non-Olympic group in
contrast to more stable LA
max
fluctuations in the
Olympic group (Fig. 4). Differently, the decrease
of pH
min
in March accompanied LA
max
increase
in the Non-Olympic group (Fig. 4). When data from
test EIGHT was analysed for the pre– competition
and competition periods then the decrease of t
8
from November to January and after April were
present in both groups (Fig. 5). This was expected
for the Olympic but not for the Non-Olympic
group. HR
8
did not accompany t
8
changes (Fig. 6).
Differences observed between the groups became
negligible towards the end of the competitive pe-
riod. LA
8
accompanied t
8
changes in the Olympic
group and showed bi–cyclic periodisation (Fig. 5).
The time course in the Non-Olympic group sho-
wed non–characteristic, but visible monocyclic pe-
riodisation (Fig. 5). Both types of periodisation were
expected. The pH
8
changes showed non–typical
monocyclic response periodisation in the Olympic
group (Fig. 5). This was expected for the observed
period. The decrease of pH
8
in August can be ex-
plained easily by LA
8
data, which showed the hig-
hest values (Fig. 5). Therefore, LA
8
and pH
8
sho-
wed very similar periodisation in the Olympic
group. The periodisation of pH
8
in the Non-Olym-
pic group may be also assessed as monocyclic pe-
riodisation, which was also expected (Fig. 5). 
When cyclic characteristics were estimated from
the interpolated time courses of the training res-
ponse characteristics and compared with cyclic
changes of training volume and intensity, then on-
ly pH
min
, t
8
and LA
8
of the Olympic group fluctua-
ted in a characteristic two–cycle manner according
to expectations (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) based on fluc-
tuations of general training characteristics (Fig. 1).
In contrast pH
8
response showed more cyclic fluc-
tuations. In the Non-Olympic group the pH
min
,
LA
8
and pH
8
fluctuated in a monocyclic manner
(Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) according to expectations also
based on training characteristics (Fig. 1). In con-
trast, t
8
showed a characteristic bi–cyclic response
(Fig. 5). The first training cycle was in period from
November to April for both groups (Fig. 1). The se-
cond training cycle occurred from June to Septem-
ber in the Olympic group only (Fig. 1). In contrast,
training response cycle of t
8
was similar in the
Olympic and the Non-Olympic groups in spite of
monocycle training characteristics in the Non-
Olympic group. All other training response charac-
teristics did not show characteristic cycles or cycles
were not recognised. 
DISCUSSION
The Slovene national kayak slalom wild-water team
members were followed throughout the Olympic
season in the current study. The aim was to ascer-
tain whether the changes of training volume and
intensity during the season (training periodisation)
were somehow accompanied by changes in the se-
lected characteristics of paddlers’ basic endurance
and basic speed endurance performance (training
response periodisation). Additionally, we ascertai-
ned whether the selection to the Olympic team or
not differentiates kayakers according to their basic
endurance and basic speed endurance performan-
ce. Results showed that qualification in the Olym-
36
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37
NOV. DEC. MARCH APRIL JUNE JULY SEPT. OCT.
t
8
(s) 121 ± 2.5 116.7 ± 1.0 115.9 ± 2.8 117.2 ± 1.7 113.0 ± 3.9 115.3 ± 1.0 113.4 ± 2.1 118.6 ± 2.0
124.3 ± 1.0 115.5 ± 3.8 116.9 ± 5.1 115.0 ± 2.6 112.3 ± 4.5 115.0 ± 3.5 117.0 ± 1.0
HR
8
(b/min) 180 ± 3 176 ± 7 177 ± 5 182 ± 2 179 ± 1 183 ± 5 184 ± 3
182 ± 2 181 ± 5 185 ± 3 183 ± 3 184 ± 2 165 ± 5
LA
8
(mmol/l) 11.5 ± 0.4 11.7 ± 2.1 14.2 ± 4.0 17.6 ± 2.1 14.6 ± 0.7 17.7 ± 0.9 19.2 ± 1.9 9.9 ± 0.4
8.1 ± 2.0 10.9 ± 0.6 14.3 ± 3.3 14.1 ± 2.6 15.4 ± 1.2 14.4 ± 1.3
PH
8
7.20 ± 0.03 7.17 ± 1.2 7.20 ± 0.08 7.19 ± 0.06 7.16 ± 0.05 7.08 ± 0.03
7.14 ± 0.07 7.16 ± 0.05 7.17 ± 0.12
Table 2: BASIC STATISTICAL DATA FROM THE TEST »EIGHT«
LEGEND: For abbreviations see the text
Results in upper lines of each cell are results of the Olympic, in lower lines of the Non-Olympic group

pic team has no base in differences of basic endu-
rance and basic speed endurance performance of
paddlers. Therefore, the selection principle, which
uses competitive results as the criterion includes
predominantly very specific paddlers’ characteri-
stics, mostly probably related to daily-variable cha-
racteristics and/or non-systematic factors (emo-
tions), which usually caused mistakes (Vest, 1996).
The time course of general training characteristics:
volume and intensity of basic endurance and basic
speed endurance training showed a bi-cycle com-
petition season for the group of paddlers, who qua-
lified for the Olympic Games and a monocyclic
competition season for those who did not. The first
cycle in Olympic group included the preparatory
period, pre-competitive period and competition
period. The second included the second basic, se-
cond pre- competition and second competition pe-
riods. These were different from the Non-Olympic
group, which consisted of only one preparatory,
pre-competitive and one competitive period. It may
be assumed that such training will influence selec-
ted characteristics similarly in both groups only in
the first preparatory period. In contrast, training
should influence differently on the two groups the-
reafter because of different periodisation. Results
showed that training did not influence some of the
most important characteristics (v
LT
, v
OBLA
, v
max,
t
8,
LA
8
and pH
8
) logically. In spite of large volume of
basic endurance training and strength training and
practically no speed endurance training, the cha-
racteristics of basic endurance: v
LT
, v
OBLA
and v
max
practically did not change at all. This was an unex-
pected phenomenon. In contrast, t
8
showed clear
improvement of speed endurance performance in
spite of the absence of speed endurance training.
Our explanation is that possibly a positive influen-
ce of strength training may have such effect. Any-
way, such adaptation still remains unexplained by
the available data. The dramatic change in training
during the pre-competition phase (tapering phase)
did not change dramatically and simultaneously
any of used characteristics in the March to May pe-
riod. v
LT
, v
OBLA
and v
max
in the Non-Olympic group
and v
max
in the Olympic group increased during
this period in contrast to expectations. The only ex-
planation is reduction of training volume of basic
endurance training, and the increase of basic speed
endurance training volume. The second cycle of
decrease of t
8
and increase of LA
8
in the Olympic
group may be explained by the second basic pre-
competition and competition periods which inclu-
ded more frequent maximal effort in the period of
preparations for the Olympic Games. However, it
cannot be explained why the second cycle occur-
red in Non-Olympic group (t
8
), where training did
not change so dramatically. 
In conclusion, the study showed an absence of a
significant relationship between basic training cha-
racteristics and some of the selected characteristics
of basic paddlers’ performance. The discrepancy
of expected relationship cannot be reasonably ex-
plained by the available data. However, it is assu-
med that training influence at such a high level of
performance is relatively small because paddlers
probably reached their highest limit of biological
adaptation (Astrand, & Rodahl, 1986). They also
trained practically the whole year with individually
dependent large training volume and high inten-
sity. Therefore, the interaction of many different
training characteristics, which influenced perfor-
mance simultaneously, has no simple influence on
the paddlers’ adaptation at the top level of the com-
petition performance.
REFERENCES
1. Astrand, P.O., & Rodahl, K. (1986). Textbook of work physiology.
McGraw-Hill Book Company.
2. Beaver, W.L., Wasserman, K., & Whipp, B. (1985). Improved de-
tection of lactate threshold during exercise using a log-log trans-
formation. J Appl Physiol, 59(6), 1936-1940.
3. Bompa, T. O. (1999). Theory and Methodology of training. Cham-
paign: Human Kinetics.
4. Karlsson, J., & Jacobs, I. (1982). Onset of blood lactate accumu-
lation during muscular exercise as a threshold concept. Int J Sports
Med, 3, 190-201.
5. Ušaj, A. (1990). Poskus uskladitve dveh konceptov anaerobnega
praga pri testiranju vzdržljivosti tekačev [An attempt to harmoni-
se two anaerobic threshold concepts in endurance testing of run-
ners]. Doctoral dissertation, University of Ljubljana – Faculty of
Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
6. Ušaj, A. (1998a). Nadzor v procesu športne vadbe kajakašev na
divjih vodah. (1. Metode za nadzor športnikovih značilnosti) [Con-
trol of the training process of wild water kayakers. 1. Methods for
estimating performance]. Šport, 46(1), 47-52.
7. Ušaj, A. (1998b). Nadzor v procesu športne vadbe kajakašev na
divjih vodah. (2. Značilne vrednosti uporabljenih kazalcev in njiho-
va uporaba v procesu športne vadbe) [Control of the training pro-
cess of wild water kayakers. 2. Characteristic values of test results
and their use in the training process]. Šport, 46(2), 46-52.
8. Vest, A.L. (1996). Model nekaterih energijskih značilnosti kajaka-
šev [Model of some energy characteristics of wild water padd-
lers]. Doctoral dissertation, University of Ljubljana – Faculty of
Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
37
Ušaj, A., (2002). Kinetics of basic endurance and basic speed endurance characteristics throughout … KinSI 8(1), 30–37