Effects of ball size and weight on the throwing ability of developing children in long throws

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11522
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Maeda Masato 神戸大学, 人間発達環境学研究科, 教授 (90209388)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 遠投 / ボール / サイズ / 投げる能力 / 子ども

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The results of long throws using nine handballs of various sizes and weights showed that the lighter and smaller the ball, the greater the throwing distance and initial velocity. However, the initial velocity was less likely to affect the throwing distance, suggesting that different ball sizes may have a greater effect on throwing distance, while different ball weights may have a greater effect on initial velocity. In long throws with fifth-graders using softballs, primary school handballs, and handballs of similar weight to softballs, it was found that handballs that are larger and heavier than softballs have a lower initial velocity and a reduced throwing distance, while those that are larger than softballs have a reduced throwing distance, which may be due not only to the lower initial velocity but also to the release angle.

Free Research Field

スポーツに関する指導方法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

新体力テストのボール投げでは，投てき距離を測定しその記録によって投げる能力を評価しており，より遠くにボールを投げることができる者ほど投げる能力が高いと評価されるが，小学生（ソフトボール1号）と中学生以上（ハンドボール2号）とでは使用するボールは異なる。本研究により，使用するボールによっては，投てき距離を決定づけるリリース時の各投射初期条件への影響度が異なる可能性が示されたことから，投げる能力を構成する要素（因子）を洗い出すとともに，各発達段階の子どもに応じて適切に評価できる投げる能力の測定方法を検討する必要性が示された。