Discovering Optimal Release Conditions for the Javelin World Record Holders by Using Computer Simulation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to use computer simulation to establish the optimal release conditions for javelin world record holders. The researcher adopted the data on the relationship between the attack angle and the distance from COM (the javelin's center of mass) to COP (the javelin's center of pressure), and used javelins which complied with the new rules [1]. Then numerical methods were used to estimate the ranges of the javelins throw at zero wind speed and other wind speeds. It was found that when the wind speed and the angular velocity were both zero and the grip height at release was 1.88m, the male world record holder could reach the world record of 94.48m by throwing the javelin of the Apollo Olympic New Rules (AONR) under the optimal release conditions-the release angle being 42.8°, the attitude angle being 35.5°, the angle of attack being -7.3°, and the release speed being 31.213m/s. However, when the male holder used the javelin of the Held New Rules (HNR), the optimal release conditions would comprise the release angle of 37.3°, the attitude angle of 31.8°, the attack angle of -5.5°, and the release speed of 29.935m/s. When the wind speed and angular velocity were both zero and the grip height at release was 1.66m, the female world record holder could reach the world record of 72.28m using the javelin of the Apollo Ladies (AL) under the optimal release conditions---the release angle being 42.6°, the attitude angle being 34.6°, the angle of attack being -8.00°, and the release speed being 26.672m/s. Second, when the wind speed ranged from -6m/s to 6m/s, the optimal range would occur at the wind speed of 3m/s for the male holder using the AONR javelin and -4m/s for the HNR javelin. The optimal range would occur at the wind speed of 2m/s for the female holder using the AL javelin. Therefore, it could be concluded that a tail wind would help the male holder using the AONR javelin and the femal holder using the AL javelin to reach their optimal performance. On the other hand, a head wind would help the male holder using the HNR javelin to achieve the optimal performance. Third, the simulation results also showed that when the male holder threw the javelin at the release speed ranging from 29m/s to 33m/s, there would be a margin of 7.5% to 10.2% in the range between AONR javelin and HNR javelin, a margin of 8.6% to 13.3% in the optimal release angle. Fourth, the distance from COM to COP was one of the factors that influenced the release angle. It was found that when the COM was farther away from the COP, the release angle would be larger and the throwing range would be shorter.