Performance-related physiological training-induced modifications and training load distribution of a world champion paracanoe athlete during a season

Purpose. There is no evidence on longitudinal performance-physiological adaptations induced by training and training load distribution (TID) in world-class paracanoeist Kayak Level 1 (KL1). This case study examines the KL1 2018 World Champion (WC) and outlines the training program that led to second place in the 2019 WC, providing valuable insights for those aspiring to compete at the same level. To address this gap, the athlete was monitored over 52 weeks through training-data collection and comprehensive physiological assessments. Methods. A 34-year-old male paracanoeist underwent testing on three occasions: one week after the 2018 WC, at mid-season, and one week after the 2019 WC. At each time point, he performed an off-water, kayak ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to assess maximal oxygen uptake (V ̇ O₂max), ventilatory thresholds (VTs), and maximal power output (POmax). Additionally, one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing in bench press (BP) and prone bench pull (PBP) was performed at each assessment. Pulmonary function, through a spirometry, was assessed at baseline only. TID during the 52 weeks of trainings was quantified using a three zone model based on VTs: low-intensity (LIT, VT2). The annual training plan included general, specific, competition, and tapering phases organised through sequential macrocycles and weekly microcycles. Results. Across the season, V ̇ O₂max showed a modest increase (+6.1% ml/min), while there was a pronounced amelioration of VT1 (+17% ml/min) and VT2 (+8.6% ml/min). CPET’s POmax (+14.2% W), 1RM in BP (+5.6% kg) and PBP (+7.4% kg) also improved. Overall, he trained 384 hours, comprising 224h of combined on- and off-water kayak training (4.3±0.8h of weekly kayak training), which followed a non-polarised, hybrid TID approach that combined features of threshold and high-intensity models (LIT: 41%, MIT: 33%, HIT: 26%). Discussion. Despite modest changes in V ̇ O₂max, substantial improvements at ventilatory thresholds and maximal strength suggest that submaximal efficiency and upper-body neuromuscular capacity may be particularly relevant determinants of KL1 sprint performance. Additionally, the present observations indicate that a hybrid TID with substantial exposure to MIT and HIT, may represent an effective and tolerable approach for optimising race-specific adaptations in world class paracanoeists. Conclusion. Given the anaerobic demands of KL1, paracanoeists appear to require high upper-body strength, an optimised VT2, and a threshold-focused TID to excel in international competitions. Although limited to a single athlete, these findings provide a rationale for further investigation in larger KL1 cohorts.