ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN JAVELIN THROWING TECHNIQUE AND RELEASE SPEED

Abstract

In javelin throwing, as with other throwing events, the release speed is the single most important factor contributing to long throws (Best et al., 1993; Hay & Yu, 1995; Hubbard et al., 2001). A greater release speed will increase the vacuum flight distance approximately in proportion to the square of the release speed (Hubbard, 1984). The vacuum flight distance is the major partial distance of official distance (Hay & Yu, 1995), and the official distance determines javelin throwing performance. Increasing release speed, therefore, will improve javelin throwing performance. The purpose of this study was to determine which technique variables are associated with greater release speeds.