Performance Comparison Of The Cartwheel Vs Glide Shot Put Techniques

Abstract

An emerging technique in the shot put is the use of a cartwheel prior to release, such as a gymnast would use to generate horizontal velocity in tumbling. It is hypothesized that the position of the body at landing may result in a large muscular stretch-shortening response in the trunk, which combined with the horizontal velocity generated by the cartwheel may lead to greater velocity of the shot at release thus increasing horizontal distance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the kinematics of the cartwheel (CW) and glide (G) techniques in the shot put in three female heptathletes. METHODS: Three individual case studies were performed. Subjects put a 4 kg women's indoor shot for all trials. Each subject received extensive training in the CW technique and all were deemed proficient in this technique prior to data collection. Ten trials of each technique were completed on separate days. All trials were videotaped (60 Hz), and the horizontal distance of each trial were recorded. Performances were digitized (Peak Motus) and release variables calculated. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation for each subject were used to compare the variables of release height, angle, and velocity, and horizontal distance of all 60 trials. RESULTS: All subjects experienced their single best throw using CW (6.49, 6.04, 8.77 m) compared to G (5.35, 5.89, 8.63 m). Subject 2 showed decreased variation of performance suggesting increased performance stability with CW compared to G. Across the 10 trials, average release height in the CW (2.14, 2.6, 2.44 m) was greater than the G (1.86, 1.84, 2.23 m), as was release angle (CW 17.9°, 14.4°, 33.6° vs G 14.1°, 12.5°, 30.3°) for all subjects. CONCLUSION: The cartwheel technique shows promise as a beneficial technique for heptathletes. Further research is needed to determine performer characteristics and applicability of this technique.