Assessing Explosive Power Production Using the Backward Overhead Shot Throw and the Effects of Morning Resistance Exercise on Afternoon Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if performing a morning total-body resistance exercise workout affects explosive power in an afternoon session. The secondary goal was to assess the usefulness of the backward overhead shot throw (BOST) as a measure of explosive power in experienced thrower in the sport of athletics. Throwers (N = 14) performed 1 control and 1 experimental trial on separate days. The control consisted of BOST and a vertical jump (VJ) testing performed in the afternoon. For the experimental trial, the participants reported for a short resistance training session in the morning then repeating the BOST and VJ testing 4-6 hours later. The BOST distance (meters) and VJ peak power (watts) were correlated in both trials (r ∼ 0.64, p < 0.05). The BOST distance improved in experimental trial over control (p < 0.05), but VJ power failed to improve. The results indicate that a morning resistance exercise bout can improve competitive throwing performance later on the same day. The results also suggest that BOST may be a useful performance testing tool for throwers in the sports of athletics.