THREE-DIMENSIONAL COMPARISON OF SELECTED KINEMATICS BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE INTERCOLLEGIATE JAVELIN THROWERS

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare ROM, peak angular acceleration and percent throw values of peak angular acceleration of the upper arm, trunk, and pelvis segments, and elbow and knee joints between skilled male and female javelin throwers. Nine male and 11 female intercollegiate javelin throwers (n = 20) were videotaped using 2 120 Hz cameras. PEAK5 Motion Measurement System was used to analyze the data. Hotelling’s T2 tests revealed no significant differences (p > .01). However, females did appear to use the lower extremity differently by producing large amounts of pelvis ROM, pelvis peak angular acceleration, and knee extension peak angular accelerations. Both groups exhibited the proximal to distal sequencing of accelerations with the exception of upper arm internal rotation.