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The effects of specificity in plyometric training for the discus throw

Calder, Scott E
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the mechanical components of the discus throw; and more specifically, to investigate the altering effects of plyometric training within the discus ring. A comparison of the movement patterns of a selected female discus thrower at the University of Kansas was made before, during, and after plyometric training. The method of investigation was computer-aided cinematography. The subject was filmed throwing the discus six times in a session before, midway, and after specific plyometric training. Major findings of the study were: (1) longer throws occurred with longer stride length; (2) stride length of the first step diminished, while time elapsed remained constant; (3) time elapsed for the entire throw shortened in the second session as the distance the discus was thrown increased; (4) time elapsed during the second step was too great; (5) linear velocity of the right hip did not increase prior to release, and velocities of the right ankle and knee did not decrease after release; (6) the subject's center of gravity was lowest while pivoting over the left foot, but the discus was inconsistent in rising as the subject stepped to the middle of the circle; (8) the trunk was erect at the back of the circle and over the right foot in the middle of the cycle; (9) the angle of the right knee was shortened while traveling to the middle of the circle; (10) angles of the right arm and discus at release insured optimal rotary momentum; (11) the release point was slightly higher than shoulder level 1. Within the stated scope and limitations of the study the following conclusions were drawn: (l) plyometric training inhibited the drive of the left leg stepping to the center of the circle; (2) elapsed time for the entire throw, decreased after plyometric training; (3) a proper throwing base was not established to provide the sequential transfer of energy from the right ankle to the right hand; (4) the subject's angle of release was low considering the low velocity of release.
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M.S. University of Kansas, Health, Physical Education and Recreation 1984
Date
1984-05-31
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University of Kansas
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