| KINEMATIC
ANALYSIS OF JAVELIN THROW PERFORMED BY WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT
FUNCTIONAL CLASSES |
John W. Chow1 ,
Ann F. Kuenster2
and Young-tae Lim3
|
1Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville,
USA 2Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
USA
3Division of Sport Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea
| Received |
|
10 December 2002 |
| Accepted |
|
07
February 2003 |
| Published |
|
01 June 2003 |
©
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2003) 2, 36 - 46
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The purpose of this study was to identify those kinematic characteristics
that are most closely related to the functional classification of a wheelchair
athlete and measured distance of a javelin throw. Two S-VHS camcorders (60
field·s-1) were used to record the performance of 15 males of different
classes. Each subject performed 6-10 throws and the best two legal throws
from each subject were selected for analysis. Three-dimensional kinematics
of the javelin and upper body segments at the instant of release and during
the throw (delivery) were determined. The selection of kinematic parameters
that were analyzed in this study was based on a javelin throw model showing
the factors that determine the measured distance of a throw. The average
of two throws for each subject was used to compute Spearman rank correlation
coefficients between selected parameters and measured distance, and between
selected parameters and the functional classification. The speeds and angles
of the javelin at release, ranged from 9.1 to 14.7 m·s-1 and 29.6 to 35.8º,
respectively, were smaller than those exhibited by elite male able-bodied
throwers. As expected, the speed of the javelin at release was significantly
correlated to both the classification (p<0.01) and measured distance (p<0.001).
Of the segmental kinematic parameters, significant correlations were found
between the trunk inclination at release and classification and between
the angular speed at release and measured distance (p<0.01 for both). The
angular speed of the shoulder girdle at release and the average angular
speeds of the shoulder girdle during the delivery were significantly correlated
to both the classification and measured distance (p<0.05). The results indicate
that shoulder girdle movement during the delivery is an important determinant
of classification and measured distance.
KEY WORDS:
Biomechanics, disability, athletics, field events.
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