A case study on the improvement in throwing motion of a male para-short stature javelin thrower

Abstract

　The purposes of this study were to analyze in the throwing motion of a male para short stature javelin thrower (hereafter, para-athlete) for the identification of his technical problems, and to examine effects of a feedback training on the improvement in the throwing technique. A single para-athlete was videotaped to analyze his throwing motion in official competitions with the three-dimensional DLT method. The technical problems of the para-athlete were identified by comparing with the averaged motion of twelve student javelin throwers as a reference (hereafter, reference throwers). The improvement in throwing motion of the para-athlete by the feedback training was conducted in his daily training sessions and an immediate feedback training session using a turbo jab. The horizontal velocity at release of the para-athlete was smaller than that of the reference throwers. One of the features of the throwing motion for the para-athlete was smaller trunk rotation and smaller forward lean of the trunk than the reference throwers. Further, the hip rotation of the para-athlete was smaller in all phases than the reference throwers. His record increased by 51 cm and the feedback training conducted for ten months changed his awareness of the throwing technique and improved his techniques, such as a greater forward lean of the trunk, which would lead to the increase in the horizontal velocity of the javelin at release.