Based on thermal principles and motion efficiency theory, this paper constructs thermal energy loss and motion efficiency models for dragon boat racing. These models encompass sub-models such as human energy metabolism, boat resistance, and teamwork, and their reliability is verified through experiments and simulations. Three groups of participants (professional, amateur, and novice) were tested over distances ranging from 200-2000 m. The FLUENT 3-D simulation was used to analyze the influence of variables such as water temperature and wind speed. Results showed that the total thermal energy loss in the professional group during the 2000 m race reached 1876 ±124 kJ, with metabolic heat accounting for 68.3%, significantly higher than in the other groups. Boat speed and thermal energy loss exhibited a quadratic correlation (R2=0.97), with a water temperature of 30 °C reducing heat dissipation efficiency by 18.3%. Energy utilization efficiency peaked at 29.3% at a 52° paddling angle, and overall efficiency was 16.7% higher at a 3° phase difference than at an 8° phase difference. At 3-5 m/s, frictional heat loss increases quadratically, due to turbulent drag, while metabolic heat rises linearly with oxygen uptake. At 30 °C, skin convection drops by 22% (measured via thermal imaging), causing the 18.3% efficiency reduction. Humidity tests (60% vs. 80%) showed 80% humidity further reduced efficiency by 5%, validated by the model. This clarifies the interplay of speed and environment on heat loss. The deviation between the model’s predicted and measured values is less than 5.2%, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing dragon boat training.