Abstract
Track and field throwing performance is determined by a number of biomechanical and biological factors which are affected by long-term training. Although much of the research has focused on the role of biomechanical factors on track and field throwing performance, only a small body of scientific literature has focused on the connection of biological factors with competitive track and field throwing performance. The aim of this review was to accumulate and present the current literature connecting the performance in track and field throwing events with specific biological factors, including the anthropometric characteristics, the body composition, the neural activation, the fiber type composition and the muscle architecture characteristics. While there is little published information to develop statistical results, the results from the current review suggest that major biological determinants of track and field throwing performance are the size of lean body mass, the neural activation of the protagonist muscles during the throw and the percentage of type II muscle fiber cross-sectional area. Long-term training may enhance these biological factors and possibly lead to a higher track and field throwing performance. Consequently, coaches and athletes should aim at monitoring and enhancing these parameters in order to increase track and field throwing performance.
Highlights
Track and field throwing events are the shot-put, the discus, the javelin and the hammer throw
These results suggest that the EMG activation, especially of the lower musculature system, may correlate with competitive track and field throwing performance correlation was found between the non-preferred leg vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscles with discus performance
The purpose of this review was to gather and present the existing data regarding the connection between biological factors and competitive track and field throwing performance
Summary
Track and field throwing events are the shot-put, the discus, the javelin and the hammer throw. The aim of this review was to accumulate and present the related literature regarding the role and the correlation of anthropometric characteristics, body composition, neural activation, muscle fiber type composition and muscle architecture characteristics with competitive track and field throwing performance. This information may assist athletes and coaches to design more effective training programs by means of a better understanding of the most important biological adaptations for throwing performance
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