Skill-dependent proximal-to-distal sequence in team-handball throwing

Abstract

The importance of proximal-to-distal sequencing in human performance throwing has been reported previously. However, a comprehensive comparison of the proximal-to-distal sequence in team-handball throwing in athletes with different training experience and competition is lacking. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the ball velocity and proximal-to-distal sequence in the team-handball standing throw with run-up of players of different skill (less experienced, experienced, and elite). Twenty-four male team-handball players (n = 8 for each group) performed five standing throws with run-up with maximal ball velocity and accuracy. Kinematics and ball trajectories were recorded with a Vicon motion capture system and joint movements were calculated. A specific proximal-to-distal sequence, where elbow flexion occurred before shoulder internal rotation, was found in all three groups. These results are in line with previous studies in team-handball. Furthermore, the results of the present study suggest that in the team-handball standing throw with run-up, increased playing experience is associated with an increase in ball velocity as well as a delayed start to trunk flexion.

Biomechanical Assessment of Motor Abilities in Male Handball Players During the Annual Training Macrocycle

“…The method that was used in the current study to measure the torque generated by the muscles acting on the kinematic chain going from the trail leg to the hand of the dominant limb is new. The idea to use it was inspired by the well-documented fact [12,13,15,24] that throwing velocity depends on the configuration of the body and coordination of the rotating and flexing movements of the anatomical segments involved in throwing the ball with maximum velocity. The start and end position of the subjects during the test (fig.…”

“…This velocity depends, among others, on the type of throw being performed [9,11], the players' level of achievement [8], and the configuration of the body at the moment when the ball is thrown [12,13]; moreover, velocity decreases the more accurate the throw is [14]. Since throwing velocity depends on several different factors, it is useful to supplement strength measurement with the assessment of this variable.…”

Kinematic analysis of the drag flick in field hockey

“…However, anatomical and physiological constraints make the kinetic link principle the more commonly adopted and most likely optimal strategy (Bobbert, Gerritsen, Litjens, & Van Soest, 1996;Elliott et al, 1995;Liu et al, 2010;Putnam, 1993;Reeser et al, 2010;Wagner et al, 2011). The drag flick is an effective shooting technique in field hockey, especially when it comes to the penalty corner (McLaughlin, 1997;Piñeiro, Sampedre, & Refoye, 2007;Yusoff, Hasan, & Wilson, 2008).…”

“…) by initiating the movement with the heaviest, proximal segment (i.e. trunk) followed by a proximal-to-distal sequence (Elliott, Marshall, & Noffal, 1995;Kellis & Katis, 2007;Liu, Leigh, & Yu, 2010;Marshall & Elliott, 2000;Reeser, Fleisig, Bolt, & Ruan, 2010;Wagner, Pfustershmied, Von Duvillard, & Müller, 2011). This has been described as the 'kinetic link principle' , which states that kinetic energy of a segment is transferred to the adjacent, distal segment, as soon as it reaches its maximum, such that each segment starts or accelerates its motion relative to the proximal segment, when the adjacent proximal segment reaches its peak velocity (Marshall & Elliott, 2000;Putnam, 1993).…”

An applied paradigm for simple analysis of the lower limb kinematic chain in explosive movements: an example using the fencing foil attacking lunge

“…This has been demonstrated in a number of open-chain movements where the most distal segment is unattached, thus free to move. For example, ball kicking (Putnam 1991;Katis et al 2015) handball throwing (Wagner et al 2012), the tennis forehand (Landlinger et al 2010), and the golf swing (Zheng et al 2008;Tinmark et al 2010).…”