Research trends and gaps in canoe sprint training: a scoping review

Abstract

Canoe sprint is an Olympic aquatic discipline requiring complex biomechanical and physiological demands, including trunk rotation, upper-extremity power, and integrated aerobic-anaerobic energy systems. Despite growing interest in sport-specific training, training-related research in canoe sprint remains fragmented and has not been comprehensively synthesized. This scoping review aimed to systematically map international research trends in canoe sprint training, classify major training types and outcome measures, and identify evidence gaps to guide future inquiry. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Arksey & O’Malley framework, three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS) were searched for peer-reviewed English-language articles published between January 2010 and March 2026. Studies were selected based on Participants, Concept, Context (PCC) criteria, and data were charted using descriptive and content analysis. Of 357 identified studies, 12 met inclusion criteria. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), warm-up interventions, and resistance/core training were the predominant modalities. Studies were concentrated on male elite kayak athletes, with limited representation of female athletes and canoe events. Methodological quality was predominantly moderate, with small sample sizes and limited blinding. Canoe sprint training research remains at an early stage with notable gaps in female athlete representation, sport-specific biomechanical outcome measures, and longitudinal study designs. Future research should employ randomized controlled designs, diverse participant samples, and on-water performance assessments to strengthen the evidence base.