Towards a better structured framework for the coaching of throwing ability:From awareness to bodily sensation to execution and the evaluation of results

2007 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 18500460
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Physical education
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIZAWA Masatada University of Fukui, Faculty of Education and Regional Sciences, Professor (30020126)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): INSHIJIMA Yoshinori OSAKAKYOIKU University, Faculty of Education, Professor (60156073)
• Project Period (FY): 2006 – 2007
• Keywords: develonment of throwing ability / muscles and tendons / bodily sensation and execution / coaching for learning

Research Abstract

This study used male and female subjects in the third grade of primary school. The objective was to investigate the isolatable, identifiable, kinesthetically experienced aspects of the muscles, muscle groups, and joints involved in the throwing motion so as to improve coaching for the learning of the throwing motion.
The total group of subjects were divided into two equal-sized sub-groups and each sub-group underwent the standard training, instruction and practice period of 10 days. However, in the first half of the training period, Group A was given the standard training along with the additional treatment of the use of a rubber exercise band. This band provided kinesthetic feedback during execution of the throwing action. During the initial 5-day period, Group B received only the same training. During the second 5-day period, both groups received the same standard training, instruction and practice.
Sensory feedback for the purposes of training was obtained through the use of a heavy-d uty rubber exercise band. This band was used to establish the puffing' feeling that concatenates the entire arm with the chest through the shoulder joint during the action of cocking back and throwing. In order to inform future instructional methods, data on the results of the training were obtained through subjective questionnaires administered to the subjects afterward and the use of visual analysis of recorded throwing motions.
Throwing distances were also recorded. This data leads to three illuminating conclusions: 1. The most remarkable effect with the use of this additional kinesthetic feedback mechanism (heavy rubber exercise band) was the significant difference in the improvement of the throwing distance that Group A showed because it received the additional feedback during the first half of the total period.
2. In the case of the male cohort (juvenile boys) of Group A, it is thought the use of the feedback mechanism allowed them to improve in distance and in the initial throwing speed because it led to an increase in the lower back and shoulder angle, which then resulted in greater lower back speed at the crucial point in time of the maximum pull-back' before forward motion and release.
3. In the case of the female cohort (juvenile girls) of Group A, the results were overall the same as for the male cohort of this group.