President of the Russian Canoe Federation: Volga Region University has top-level specialists

The issues of interaction between the Russian Canoe Sprint Federation and the Volga Region University of Sport were discussed the day before in the videoconference mode. The meeting was chaired by Rector of the university Rafis Burganov on the one hand and President of the Federation Evgeny Arkhipov on the other.

The meeting was also attended by Alexander Zhdanov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Canoe Federation, Elena Iskhakova, Secretary General of the Federation, Nikolay Mordvin, Deputy Secretary General, Kirill Shamshurin, head coach (a graduate of the Volga Region University) and senior coaches of the Federation. 
The sports university of Tatarstan was represented by Azat Sharapov, First Vice-Rector of the University, Andrey Nazarenko, Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities, Andrey Feoktistov, Director of the Rowing Sports Center, Robert Bikmukhametov, Director of the Institute of Sport, as well as the Head and teachers of the Department of Theory and Methodology of Athletics and Rowing Sports named after G.V. Tsyganov.

During the meeting much attention was paid to the issues of scientific-methodological and medical-biological support of training athletes of the Russian national rowing and canoeing team. Andrey Nazarenko, Vice-Rector of the Volga Region University, made a report on the capabilities of the research base of the Volga Region University.

Speaking about the capabilities of the Research Institute of Physical Education and Sport of the University, he said that the main tasks of the Research Institute are scientific, methodological and medical and biological support of training and rehabilitation process of athletes, in-depth and current medical examination with regard to sports specialization, therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitation measures after injuries and surgeries on the musculoskeletal system, analytical research for sports teams, sports selection.

According to the vice-rector for scientific work, today more than 5000 people, including 225 athletes of sports teams, are on the dispensary registration of the medical unit of the Research Institute. In 2024 and early 2025, scientific, methodological and medical and biological support of athletes of national rowing, canoeing teams of Russia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, North Korea and Cuba was carried out. At the same time, for the first time the maximum oxygen consumption assessment test was performed using a specialized ergometer for canoeing.

It is worth noting that the medical and sanitary unit of the university's research institute has advanced equipment for recovery and rehabilitation activities. Medical workers have mastered new innovative methods of treatment and recovery, developed their own technology and programs of medical and biological support of athletes.

For each type of sport, the own model of functional testing of an athlete is formed, consisting of a battery of basic and specific tests. The same model of research was applied to the youth rowing and canoeing team. Each athlete receives an individual research protocol with methodological recommendations for strengthening the training process.

The President of the Russian Canoe Federation Evgeny Arkhipov noted that the Volga Region University has a strong scientific base and a wide range of conditions for improving the training process of athletes and organizing competitions. 

- You are specialists of the highest level. Even before the new year, we discussed our new specifics of work in detail. We will build business relationships, we are ready for it,” emphasized the President of the Federation.

Rector of the Volga Region University Rafis Burganov, in turn, noted that the university and the Federation in tandem can achieve great results.

- We are a sports university and we have to train personnel who will raise Olympic champions. The technologies that are rapidly coming into our life and sport today will certainly entail changes in theory and methodology. But we have to work it out together with you. We have every opportunity for Kazan to become a scientific, educational and sports training center,” concluded the Rector.