Biomechanical and cardiometabolic changes in a skilled kayaker after 41 days of cruising around the island of sardinia: a case study (part 1)

47-years old male kayaker Italian instructor, passionate about the sea, circumnavigated the island of Sardinia (Italy) by means of his kayak only covering a total of 969 km in 41 days. Before and after the trip he underwent several medical-biomechanical and nutritional checks: Cardiopulmonary Exercise test up to exhaustion on a kayak ergometer to assess cardiovascular, respiratory and biomechanics variables; echocardiographic measurement of volumes and flows of the heart’s left ventricle; body impedance analysis to evaluate body mass and composition. With respect to the tests made before the kayak route the respiratory pattern shifted from frequency to tidal volume dominion, the peak oxygen consumption per kg increased by 13%, the respiratory ratio by 16% and the energy expenditure of about 12%. After the trip the maximum fat oxidation capacity rises 10.5% while the left ventricle stroke volume was augmented by 32%. The decrement in body mass and in waist circumference (both -5%) together with the increase of fat mass in the arms area (+9%) indicate improvements in the athlete’s metabolic flexibility.