Kinematic Comparitive Analysis Of Elite And Novice Disc Golfers Performing 10 Meter Putts

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a descriptive kinematic analysis comparing elite and novice disc golfers performing 10 meter putts. Four subjects (one female and male elite golfer and one female and male novice golfer) were filmed on ten putts using a video camera (60 fps) in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. How close, whether the disc hit part of the basket, or if the disc fell in the basket was recorded for each trial. The best of the 10 trials for each performer in each of the planes was then analyzed using the PEAK Performance 2-dimensional movement analysis system interfaced with a Panasonic AG-7350 recorder, Sony PVM-1341 monitor, and Zenith 486 microcomputer. The linear displacements, veloci ties, and accelerations of the center of gravity and the angular displacements, velocities, and accelerations of the ankles, knees, hips, trunk, shoulders, elbows, and wrists were compared along with the angle and speed of release of the disc. It was found that elite performers had less angular and linear displacement and exhibited better intersegmental coordination than did the novice performers.