Purpose:
The balance of low- and high-intensity training, reflecting aerobic and anaerobic capacities, respectively, varies by sport and discipline. Yet their specific contributions in male flat-water kayaking remain poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the relationship of anthropometric parameters and aerobic and anaerobic indicators to the performance of elite flat-water kayakers.

Methods:
Twenty-five male elite kayakers were categorised into national and international competition levels. For aerobic capacity, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) was measured using spiroergometry, while anaerobic capacity was assessed using the Wingate upper arm test, determining relative peak power (PP) and relative mean power (MP) in W/kg. Concurrently, blood lactate concentrations were measured post-exercise.

Results:
No significant differences were determined in anthropometric parameters and VO₂max from the spiroergometry between the national- and international-level kayakers. However, the Wingate upper arm test results revealed that international kayakers, including an Olympic champion, exhibited significantly higher maximal power output, represented here by PP (10.43 ± 0.80 W/kg) compared to their national counterparts (9.69 ± 0.52 W/kg). Moreover, significant positive correlations were found between PP and MP with the blood lactate concentration post-exercise.

Conclusions:
The findings suggest that the ability to generate maximal power output and maintain high-intensity anaerobic power might be the decisive factors determining the top elite performance in flat-water kayaking, especially at shorter race distances. The study’s results highlight the critical balance between anaerobic and aerobic capacities in elite flat-water kayaking and encourage coaches to incorporate targeted training regimens to enhance anaerobic strength.