Re: [Paddlewise] [PaddleWise] objective paddle test

From: Michael Daly <mikedaly_at_magma.ca>
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 16:48:41 -0400
On 20 Sep 2004 at 10:05, Peter Chopelas wrote:

> PC: this is true, but it would take more costly equipment, a simple
> heart monitor paddled over a longer steady state corse would yeild a
> relative comparison that would be useful. 

This is true - cheap and dirty O2 uptake tests are simply time over 
distance tests that are calibrated for weight etc.  You 
run/cycle/whatever for a given time, measure the distance (or vice 
versa) and look up a table of O2 uptakes required to do that for 
typical people of a given weight and such.  

However, the question is then whether the errors in this kind of test 
are sufficiently small to differentiate between two paddles.  If 
tests results for the HRM vary by 5% and the paddles differ by 3%, 
you won't see anything reliable.

HR vs O2 uptake can be thrown off easily by things like CO saturation 
level - if you hang out in a smoky bar the night before the test, 
you'll pump more blood per unit O2 than if you stay out in the fresh 
air.  Ditto if you spend several weeks vacation hiking high up in the 
mountains and then perform the test at sea level - you'll pump less 
blood per unit O2.

> You do not need any of this information to make a valid comparison. 
> the same hull, at the same gross weight, at the same speed will take
> the same amount of power to push it though the water (presuming wind
> and currents are not a factor).

The key then is to oblige the paddler to a paddle at a specific 
speed.  It would be wise to choose a speed that is not too high, so 
that it can be achieved with a wide range of paddles.

Mike
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Received on Mon Sep 20 2004 - 14:58:49 PDT

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