KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF SHOT-PUTTING PERFORMED BY WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES OF DIFFERENT MEDICAL CLASSES

Abstract

615 The purposes of this study were to (1) describe selected kinematic characteristics of shot-putting performed by skilled wheelchair field athletes and (2) to identify those kinematic characteristics that are most closely related to the medical classification and measured distance of a put. Two S-VHS camcorders (60 fields/s) were used to record the performance of 14 males of different classes. Each subject performed 10 trials and the best two trials from each subject were selected for analysis. 3-D kinematics of the shot and upper body segments at the instant of release, and the ranges of motion and average angular speeds of different segments during the forward push (delivery) were determined. The speeds of the shot at release ranged from 5.4 to 7.8 m·s−1. The angles of release ranged from 19.5 to 32°. These values were smaller than those exhibited by elite male able-bodied throwers. Among different parameters, (a) the speed, angle, and height of the shot at release, (b) the angular speeds of the shoulder girdle, upper arm and hand at release, (c) the range of motion of the shoulder girdle during the delivery, and (d) the average angular speeds of the trunk, shoulder girdle, and upper arm during the delivery, were significantly correlated to both the classification and measured distance (p < .01). The upper arm inclination at release was correlated to the measured distance (r = .52, p < .01), but not to the classification. The results indicate the importance of achieving a high average angular speed for each upper body segment during the delivery. The results also suggest that the height of release is an important determinant of the measured distance. Supported in part by the Wheelchair Sports, USA and NASPE.