The Effect of Two-Handed Overhead Medicine Ball Throwing Exercises on Upper Extreme Muscle Strength and Kinematic Movement in Soccer Throw-ins

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effect of two-handed overhead medicine ball (THOMBT) training on upper extremity muscle strength and kinematic movement. This research utilized an experimental method with a pre-test and post-test design. Sample collection used a random sampling technique. The sampling results were then divided into a control group (CTRL) and an experimental group (THOMBT). The Shapiro-Wilk test and Levene's test were used as prerequisite tests. Paired t-tests and independent sample t-tests were used to compare improvements within and between groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Cohen's effect size (ES) was used to measure group differences. A total of 15 players were in the experimental group with an average age of 16.20 ± 0.77 years, while 15 other players were in the control group with an average age of 16.13 ± 0.83. Before and after the four-week trial period, upper extremity muscle strength testing was conducted using push-ups, sit-ups, and kinematic movement tests, which included throwing distance, arm angular speed, and release angle tests. The result is the THOMBT group showed significant improvements in push-ups (p = .000, Δ% = 22.44), sit-ups (p = .000, Δ% = 9.33), distance throws (p = .000, Δ% = 8.20), and arm angular velocity (p = .000, Δ% = 14.98). Meanwhile, the CTRL group did not have a significant increase. The conclusion is that THOMBT training for four weeks is effective in increasing upper extremity strength ability and movement kinematics, but not variable angle of release. Keywords: throws, medicine ball, muscle strength, kinematics movement.