EVALUATION OF KINEMATIC PARAMETERS OF JAVELIN THROWERS IN RELATION TO PERFORMANCE: THE USE OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL

Abstract

The technical level of the athletes is considered to be a clear determinant factor of performance. The evaluation of the elements which can certify a technical model is a fundamental step. In Sport Training, coaches tend to evaluate the technique of the athletes in relation to isolated factors. This paper try to find out if there are significant statistical relations among a certain given kinematic parameters and performance. Methodology: It has been used the experimental technique of cinematography 3D with high speed cameras (200 Hz). The algorithm DLT(Direct Linear Transformation) was used to calculate the 3D markers coordinates. The coordinates were smoothed through Spline functions of 5 " order. The two best Spanish javelin throwers were subjects of the study. 36 throwing were filmed and analyzed. The kinematic parameters obtained on the marker coordinates (x,y,z) were transformed as variables of the study (times; hip angle; shoulders angles; left knee angle, during. the final throwing phase). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and correlation analysis were performed. Conclusions: Except for the hip on the horizontal plan there were not found significant relationships (p < 0.05). That conclusion seems to indicate the difficulty to valuate the throwing technique through isolated kinematic parameters. Finally other suggestions are made to develop new studies which could take into account kinetic variables which may help to consider the movement In a more global way.