Abstract

The aim of this study was two-fold: 1) what the hammer throwing technique differences between sexes are and 2) what technique parameters help determine throw distance. The performances of the top 16 male and female throwers at the 2003 World Athletic Final and the top 13 male and female throwers from the 2003 USA Track and Field Nationals were examined. Video was captured using three Canon 60 Hz cameras. The best throws of each athlete were digitized and analyzed using the Peak Motus 8.2 motion analysis system. T-tests revealed that athlete mass, athlete height, velocity at release, timing components, and centripetal force were different between sexes. The separation between the shoulders and hips and between the shoulders and the hammer at particular positions during the throw, radius changes at certain phases of the throw, and generation of large centripetal forces helped determine throwing distance. Performance would be aided by working on the development of centripetal force, the magnitude of radius changes, the separation that occurs between the shoulders and hips, and the separation between the shoulders and hammer.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Life Sciences; Exercise Sciences

Rights

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