What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to understand how an elite sprint kayaker maintains training and adapts physiologically through pregnancy and postpartum.

February 13, 2026International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance0 citationsOpen Access

Training Characteristics and Physiological Adaptations of an Elite Sprint Kayak Athlete: A Journey From Preconception to Return to Sport Postpartum

MHMelanie Hayman CKCrystal O. Kean NBNicola Bullock

Key Points

The study aims to understand how an elite sprint kayaker maintains training and adapts physiologically through pregnancy and postpartum.
Longitudinal observational case study
Tracking of training sessions and minutes of training from preconception to postpartum
Assessment of performance and physiological metrics throughout pregnancy and postpartum
Maintained aerobic fitness and improved muscular strength during pregnancy
Engaged in 1683 training sessions totaling 101,426 minutes
Qualified for Olympic competition 35 weeks postpartum without injury
Required iron transfusion due to hematological factors after pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose : To investigate the training, performance, and physiological characteristics of a sprint kayak Olympian throughout her preconception, pregnancy, and successful return to high-performance sport postpartum (June 2020 to September 2023). Methods : A longitudinal observational case study. Results : Through a deliberate training strategy during pregnancy, aerobic fitness was maintained and muscular strength improved. The athlete engaged in 1683 training sessions totaling 101,426 minutes of training, exceeding >150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during 82% of the study weeks. She continued engaging in high-intensity (>90% maximum heart rate) aerobic and strength-training sessions until trimester 3 of her pregnancy, accumulating a total tonnage of 1,101,716 kg lifted across pregnancy. The athlete delivered a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks gestation. At 10 weeks postpartum, the athlete returned to national-squad training and qualified for her third Olympics at 35 weeks postpartum. While the athlete did not experience any exercise-related injuries or complications during or following pregnancy, obstetric intervention was required 6 weeks postpartum, and the combination of hematological assessments, presentation of clinical symptoms, and training load warranted an iron transfusion at 33 weeks postpartum. Conclusions : This study demonstrates the potential for pregnant athletes to continue training and successfully return to sport at the highest level. Highly trained athletes can maintain and/or improve certain fitness traits and performance throughout the perinatal period with strategic and deliberate programming and a multidisciplinary support team who are pivotal in supporting pregnant athletes in high-performance environments. Moreover, pregnancy provides opportunity to prioritize certain aspects of training otherwise not possible during normal training and/or competition schedules.

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