Kayaking is one of the most adventurous activities which are being enjoyed by people worldwide. Not only is it a mode of enjoyment but also kayaking helps in keeping you healthy and cheerful always. It can be considered as one of the best ways of exercise as almost all the body parts are being involved while kayaking and mostly the upper body. While paddling, the back portion along with shoulder and arm muscles is used. Kayaking helps in burning lot of calories as the muscles continuously stretch in and out.
Let’s have a look at some of the body parts and muscles that are being entertained while going for kayaking:
Muscles Used For Kayaking
- Biceps Brachii
One of the primary muscles that are being used in kayaking is biceps brachii. This muscle is found on the upper portion of the arm. A lot of bicep strength is required to carry out the forward strokes. The rotation of the forearms become easy with biceps brachii, and the elbow flexing is also done by it. Therefore, it is always advisable for the kayakers that they have proper bicep strength to easily cut through the water.
- Rotator Cuff
During the time of rotation, the rotator cuff is used to control the joints. The group of muscles that are being used inside the shoulder is controlled with the help of the rotator cuff. This group of muscles includes teres minor, supraspinatus, subscapularis, and infraspinatus. For all the kayaking maneuvers, the rotator cuff is being used. But frequent use of this can lead to tears in the muscles along with inflammation. Therefore, proper exercise is required to have a stronger rotator cuff.
- Triceps Brachii
These muscles are present on the back side of the upper arm. To flex the elbows, these muscles are used. Two-third of the muscles of the arms is being covered by triceps muscles. For the forward strokes, the triceps also play a major role. Various kayaks like tandem fishing kayak etc. need continuous use of triceps muscles, and hence regular exercise can build your triceps well.
- Trapezius
Trapezius muscles are broadly divided into three parts: lower fiber, middle fiber, and the upper fiber. The task of rolling and forward strokes makes the use of trapezius muscles. The trapezium muscles make the shoulder blade move up and down.
- Latissimus Dorsi
This muscle is found at the backside of the arm. The task of latissimus dorsi is to move the arm in the backward and downward direction along with the inward movement. During the time of roles and high braces, these muscles are of utmost importance. When you are not in water, lateral pulls can be one of the good ways to build up these muscles and make them stronger.
- Rhomboids
The task of rhomboids in the body is to hold the scapula in proper position and to get it connected with the vertebrae that are available in the spinal column. In rhomboids, two categories of muscles are available: rhomboid minor and the rhomboid major. To pull the shoulder blades towards the middle of the body back, rhomboids are very essential. In kayaking, the forward strokes need the rhomboids to have the action done properly.
These Are Some Of The Muscles That Are Involved In Kayaking.
Other body parts involved in kayaking
- Arms
Along with the muscles, some other body parts are also being entertained for kayaking. For the kayak propelling, arms are a major part to be used. The power that is being generated via rotation is transferred with the help of arms only.
- Legs
Along with arms, legs also play a very important role for kayaking. Most often people assume that legs are involved to a very little extent in kayaking. But this is not true. To establish a proper connection between canoe and kayak, legs are the major connector. For the task of turning, bracing and rolling of the kayak, legs are used in proper conjunction with the lower back. Many times due to frequent kayaking, legs can get sore when the kayak is either too small, or the outfitting is not proper. Therefore, before heading into the water, make sure you adjust the kayak properly.
- Lower back
Lower back is one of the parts of the core muscles and deserves some proper attention while doing kayaking otherwise it can also become sore. Lower back is essential to give a proper portion and comfort while sitting. So, you should know how to hold & adjust kayak properly before you start the journey.
Use of these body parts in kayaking makes them strong enough to withstand strong pressures. Thus, go for kayaking and get a stronger body.