Effect of different constraints on coordination and performance in overarm throwing

ii Contents List of papers iii Acknowledgements iv 1) Introduction 1 2) Influence of instruction on velocity and accuracy of overarm throwing 14 3) Effect of instruction on velocity, accuracy and coordination of overarm throwing 29 4) Effect of body size and gender in overarm throwing performance 42 5) Force-velocity relationship and coordination patterns in overarm throwing 59 6) Effect of different training programs on the velocity of overarm throwing 75 7) Conclusions and suggestions for further research 104 iii List of papers This thesis presents a collection of papers dealing with influences of different constraints on the coordination and performance of overarm throwing. coordination of overarm throwing. Perceptual and motor skills (submitted) patterns in overarm throwing. Journal of Applied Biomechanics (submitted) Paper 5: Van den Tillaar, R (2003) Effect of different training programs on the velocity of overarm throwing. Journal of Strength and Conditioning (submitted) iv Acknowledgements The work in this thesis was carried out at the section for human movement sciences, Trondheim. I wish to thank the VSB bank and the research council in Norway for their financial support for parts of my studentship and Buro Zondag-Stam for the financial guarantee, which enabled me to start with my study. This thesis could not have been written without the help of a number of people to whom I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation: In the first place my supervisor Professor Gertjan Ettema for his support, friendship and interesting discussions, which taught me much more than I could ever imagine. John Whiting for his inspiration and support, which motivated me to follow my ideas. My parents and my brother who have always supported and closely followed my studies in the far north (Norway). And last, but not least, my family, Anke and Daphne. In her own way Daphne has been a sort of deadline, which I unfortunately could not keep. Her happy nature gave me the energy to fulfil my study. Anke gave me the opportunity to study for a Ph.D. degree. Moreover, she has contributed to my thesis through her critical questions, which forced me to explain my research in simple words. My family has had to make many sacrifices during my thesis period, for which I am very thankful.