MECHANICAL ENERGY FLOW IN THE ARM SEGMENTS DURING OVERARM THROWING FOR SKILLED JAPANESE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLBOYS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanical energy flow in the arm segments during overarm throwing for skilled Japanese elementary schoolboys. The throwing motions of 42 boys from the second, fourth, and sixth grade were videotaped using three high-speed cameras. Seven boys from each grade were selected for 3-D motion analysis, based on their throwing distance. The increases in the mechanical energy of each segment have occurred from proximal to distal segment and the joint force power resulted in greater change in the mechanical energy of the ball and throwing arm segments, regardless of the school grade. The elementary school boys developed the abilities to generate the greater mechanical energy and to flow the generated mechanical energy toward distal segments of the throwing arm by the joint force power.