The techniques of the top eight placers in the men’s and women’s shot put at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics were studied by a team of researchers from the Institute for Applied Training Science in Leipzig, Germany with the aim of obtaining the latest data and insight into the technical condition of the world’s current best throwers.
The throws of the finalists were recorded with video cameras set up in the seating area of the stadium. The release parameters (release velocity, angle of release, etc), spatial and temporal characteristics of the throwing movement and other data were obtained from a three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis.
To give guidance for coaches and athletes preparing for future high-level competitions, the mean values and standard deviations were derived and compared with other parameters. It was found that in the women’s event the differences in performance distance can be almost completely explained by the differences in release velocity.
The technique parameters contributing to these differences are discussed. The men’s event was more complicated, as the angle of release and, to a certain extent, the release height were also important factors. Their roles and the differences between the glide and rotational techniques are discussed in detail.
Biomechanical Analysis of the Shot Put at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics
By Wilko Schaa
