Attaching mass to the upper arm can increase throw distance in a modified javelin throw

Abstract

The effectiveness of the whip-like coordination in throwing might be influenced by the inertial properties of the athlete's arm. This preliminary study investigated the acute effect of attaching mass to the upper arm on the distance achieved in a modified javelin throw. The aim was to identify the optimum upper arm mass that maximizes throw distance. Three well-trained adult male athletes performed maximum-effort throws with an 800-g javelin training ball. A wide range of masses (0-1.5 kg) were attached to the upper arm and a 2D video analysis was used to obtain measures of the projection variables for each attached mass. All three athletes showed an effect of attached arm mass on throw distance, and with the optimum mass the athlete's throw distance was increased by 2.2 m, 1.2 m, and 0 m (7%, 4%, and 0%) respectively. The optimum mass was specific to the athlete (0.6 kg, 0.2 kg, and 0 kg) and changes in throw distance were mostly due to changes in release velocity rather than changes in release angle or release height. The experimental results were broadly similar to those obtained using a simple 2D mathematical model of throwing. These results indicate that some javelin throwers might see an increase in throwing performance when a mass is attached to their upper arm. However, the relationship between upper arm mass and throwing performance should be investigated further with studies on more athletes, projectiles of different mass, and other throwing events.