Associations between strength and power and throwing performance in high-level male and female javelin throwers

Abstract

Javelin throwing presents some unique characteristics compared to other overarm throwing sports and imposes considerable physical demands on the throwers. As these demands have not been adequately quantified in the literature, this study investigated the associations between strength, power, and javelin throwing performance. Thirteen male (age: 24 ± 3 years, personal best: 77.0 ± 5.7 m, javelin throwing as the primary sport: 8 ± 3 years) and fourteen female (24 ± 5 years, 55.6 ± 5.7 m, 8 ± 4 years) javelin throwers were tested for javelin throwing performance, unilateral and bilateral vertical jumps, standing overhead medicine ball throw, and isometric maximal strength in various upper and lower body exercises. In males, throwing performance was associated moderately to strongly with bilateral and unilateral drop and depth jump measures, and with forearm supination strength of the throwing arm (R = .56 to .72, p < .05). In females, throwing performance was associated moderately to strongly with ankle plantarflexion and hip abduction strength in each leg, as well as with grip and shoulder internal rotation strength of the throwing arm (R = .55 to .73, p < .05). The results show clear sex-specific differences in important strength and power measures for javelin throwing. In males, better throwers possess greater lower body power whereas better female throwers display greater upper and lower body maximal strength.