3d Kinematics of the Swing Arm in the Second Double-support Phase of Rotational Shot Put – Elite Vs Sub-elite Athletes

The aim of this study was to identify the differences between the arithmetic means of angular displacement and angular velocity of the swing arm shoulder in the second double-support phase of sub-elite shot putters and the equivalent angular displacement and velocity of elite shot putters. The information resource was collected at international official competitions. The first sub-sample was comprised of 10 trials executed by sub-elite shot putters (length of the shot put over 16 m and less than 17.25 m) (group 1) and the second sub-sample was comprised of 10 trials executed by the elite shot putters (length of the shot put over 19 m and less than 20.44 m) (group 2). The collected video images were digitized using APAS. The difference between the sub-elite group and elite group was obtained in the angular displacement of the left shoulder. The crucial finding is that the swing of the left arm must be performed with an amplitude which allows the prestretching of structures which are active in the pushing phase or with an amplitude which does not allow any increase in the shot’s movement radius.