Discus Throw and Biomechanics - Essay Example

Head: 3 degrees right lateral rotation Neck: 9 degrees Right Flexion Torso: 0 degrees lateral flexion Right Wrist: 31 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 28degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 15degrees extension, 10 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: Neutral position Left Elbow: 30 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 15degrees extension, 10 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 0 degrees rotation Right Hip: 20 degrees flexion Right Knee: 20 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 20 degree dorsiflexion Right Foot: 3 degrees eversion Left Hip: 20 degrees flexion Left Knee: 20 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 20 degree dorsiflexion Left Foot: 3 degrees eversion Base Support: standing with legs apart, bulging both knees forward at 20 degrees. Hands vertically relaxed with the right hand holding the disc in position. The waist should be in a straight-up position, no twisting in any direction. Description of Movements: the discus man has his knees bulging inwards at the same angle, his neck straight up and his ankles raised up. His hands dropped at a relaxed position with the right hand holding the discus as he keep his gaze towards the direction of the throw. This is the starting phase of discus throw. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: in this phase, the legs should be apart a bit in order to increase stability. The knees should be moved forward but with flexion in order to provide support for the hands with the discus. The ankles should also be a bit up and with flexion in order to put the hips in position and to provide support to the knees. The hops are help in the front position with no rotation so as to provide the base for the discuss weight on hands. The hands are also placed in a relaxed position on the sides in order not to destabilize the stability. The center of gravity is maintained at the center, in discus throw, one should try to maintain the center of gravity as low as possible in order to provide them with stability as they try to increase the momentum required just before the throw. The left hand that has no discus should always be maintained in the same position with the right hand that holds the discus so that there can be adequate weight distribution across the body. Being with the neck at no rotation helps to keep one’s gaze in front where the discus is to be thrown. Head: 8 degrees right rotation Neck: 0 degrees flexion Torso: 32 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 16 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 0 degrees flexion, 0 degrees pronation Right Shoulder: 76degrees flexion, 11 degrees inside lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion, 0 degrees radial flexion Left Elbow: 0 degrees flexion, 0 degrees pronation Left Shoulder: 62 degrees hyperextension, 15 degrees outside lateral flexion Waist: 33 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 152 degrees hyperextension Right Knee: 48 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 129 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 5 degrees inversion Left Hip: 29 degrees flexion Left Knee: 31 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 170 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 60 degrees inversion Base Support: standing with the left foot in front of the right foot, the right arm with the discus is put to swing in a forward motion while the left arm remains in a backward swing. The waist in a leftward rotation 33 degree and legs are also spread. Description of Movements: the discus thrower has his right arm with the discus in front while keeping his stance stable. His legs apart with the left leg in front of the right leg and his eyes fixed on the throwing direction as he begins to rotate. This is the second phase where getting a good stance is important. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: the right arm in front with the left leg, is to spread the body weight so as to increase stability of the discus thrower. The shoulders are allowed to rotate at certain degrees as they should allow the load in the hand to move freely, and by the time the right arm with the discus moves forward, the left arm is allowed to swing backwards, in the opposite direction to allow the center of gravity to remain stable even as it moves slightly forward. The neck is held forward with no rotation to allow the thrower not to lose focus of the direction of the throw. The right hip is held forward in a relaxed position in order to allow any rotation that can occur due to the load of the discus in the right arm. The left arm is allowed to spread a bit in order to search for the stable point to maintain the balance between the arm with the discus and the body weight. The left arm also moves in the opposite direction to provide the required balance. Head: 6 degrees of right lateral rotation Neck: 8 degrees of flexion Torso: 12 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 10 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 0 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 80 degrees flexion, 9 degrees inside lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 4 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 31 degreeshyperextension, 75 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 31 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 150 degrees hyperextension Right Knee: 45 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 129 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 5 degrees inversion Left Hip: 28 degrees flexion Left Knee: 30 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 40 degrees inversion Base Support: standing with the left foot in front of the right foot, the gap between the legs is not so large, and the legs are rotated in 90 degrees to the foot. Description of Movements: the discus thrower has his left foot moved forward while the right leg held backwards. The right arm with the discus is also in a forward motion while the left arm is spread backwards in a backward motion. Neck is rotated at 8 degrees flexion with the head allowed to rotate 6 degrees of the lateral position. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: in discus throwing, when the left leg is moved forwards while the right leg is left backwards, the aim is to make a stronger base support in order to allow the body to swing in flexible manner with the discus. The neck is allowed to rotate at 8 degrees in this phase in order to allow the face to maintain being fixed to the intended direction of the throw. The waist is also made to rotate in order to increase flexibility to allow the arm holding the discus to swing freely without any trouble. The center of gravity should be kept as low as possible in order to increase stability; therefore a little bent at the waist will ensure the height is a bit reduced to guarantee that. The center of gravity is therefore moved slightly forward as the thrower swings in a forward motion to make a stance for the throw. The feet are maintained in the 90 degrees position with the legs in order to allow the body to swing in a rotational manner. The thrower adopts a shoulder width stance and performs preliminary swings. Head: 8 degrees left rotation Neck: 12 degrees of left lateral flexion Torso: 12 degrees left lateral flexion Right Wrist: 8 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 8 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 81 degreeslateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 95 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 69 degrees flexion, 43 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 0 degrees rotation Right Hip: 75 degrees flexion Right Knee: 73 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 95 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 25 degrees inversion Left Hip: 15 degrees flexion Left Knee: 10 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 119 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 15 degrees eversion Base Support: in motion position with the left foot having a small grip of the ground and the right foot out of the ground, the right foot is swung wide of the left foot. Description of Movements: one will note how the discus is kept high and relaxed trailing behind the hips. The right foot is swung right wide the left foot and the right foot leaves the ground to make the left leg be left to provide support to the whole body in position. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: as the right leg leaves the ground, the left leg is left to provide all the support to the whole body. In this position, the right leg is able to swing wider to give the person the right rotation required for the throw. The waist is rotated to the right in order to provide support to the right leg which has left the ground. The neck is also put in position where the thrower can be able to keep an eye on the throwing direction. In this way, the center of gravity has moved much forward and does not seem to have any stability, but the left leg remaining on the ground tries to ensure the stability is still maintained. The legs lag behind and the thrower moves forward through his chest, this enables him to push his body against the wind and any counteracting force. The shoulders and the legs are in opposite positions in order to maintain the body in a balanced position when the legs leave the ground. Head: 12 degrees left rotation Neck: 6 degrees of left lateral flexion Torso: 12 degrees left lateral flexion Right Wrist: 8 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 62 degrees flexion, 95 degrees pronation Right Shoulder: 8 degrees flexion, 70 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 90 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 43 degrees flexion, 45 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 0 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 45 degrees flexion Right Knee: 30 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 120 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 40 degrees eversion Left Hip: 20 degrees flexion Left Knee: 85 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 129 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 35 degrees inversion Base Support: standing on the right foot as the left foot is held behind the body without touching the ground. The right leg holds the ground using a toe as the head is moved forward. Description of Movements: one can easily notice how the discus thrower has his arm holding the discus moved away from the body by the side as he swings around to gain enough momentum for the throw, keeping his eyes on the intended direction of the throw. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: in this phase of discus throwing, ideally having the right arm that has the discus spread on one’s side is to allow the person to be able to balance their body which is on motion as he swings to gain enough momentum before the throw. His stance is not that stable as he is only supported by one foot which also does not touch the ground fully. The discus is held firmly with the arm that goes with the leg in front to add to it strength to be able to make a good throw. The head leans forward with the shoulders as the left leg remains behind to maintain the body balance as the center of gravity is kept lower. The center of gravity is moved forward, but is maintained low by the movement of the head in front and the shoulders. The right hip has the flexion and is able to rotate in order to provide the fight arm with the energy it requires to make a good throw. On the ground, the left foot pivots the ball of the foot. This makes it very easy for the body to rotate without any problem. The right foot is therefore kept low and fast. Head: 50 degrees left rotation Neck: 8 degrees of left lateral flexion Torso: 30 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 10 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 10 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 75 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 32 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 30 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 15 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 30 degrees hyperextension Right Knee: 30 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 129 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 15 degrees inversion Left Hip: 20 degrees flexion Left Knee: 95 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 129 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 10 degrees eversion Base Support: standing on the right foot with the left foot off the ground and the left arm in front, bended across the belly, as the right arm holds fast the discus. Description of Movements: one would note that the right arm has the discus really ready and held in position. The right leg supports the body and allows it to swing easily to the required position as the eyes are fixed to the intended direction of the throw. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: ideally, the discus should be held high and back when the right foot is on the ground to give the body support and to be able to help the body to swing when building on momentum. The thrower should make sure that the right leg provides enough energy to enable him stay stable as he swings. The ground grip by the foot should also be through a toe so as to enable easy rotation. The shoulders are kept leveled and balanced in order to spread the weight over the single leg on the ground. As the left leg lands, aim the thrower should aim for a chin over knee over toe on the left leg. The center of gravity in this case moves more to the forward as the shoulders also move forward with the forward body movement. The center of gravity is however kept low by pulling the left leg behind to spread the body weight across the single leg on the ground. Head: 70 degrees left rotation Neck: 12 degrees of left lateral flexion Torso: 12 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 15 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 0 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 75 degreeslateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 15 degrees flexion, 25 degrees pronation Left Shoulder: 85 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 15 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 80 degrees flexion Right Knee: 80 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 70 degree dorsal flexion Right Foot: 15 degrees eversion Left Hip: 15 degrees flexion Left Knee: 80 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 40 degrees eversion Base Support: standing on the right foot in front of the left foot, the chest and the shoulders are held back while the legs are moved forward. Description of Movements: the discus thrower has his right hip moved to the front, ready to provide the required support to the other side of the body moving on the backward direction. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: most importantly, in this phase of discus throwing, the right leg moved to the front in actually meant to provide the part of the body that is moving backwards with the required reactive force to put it in place or make it be in balance. The discus is held on the right hand which is spread away from the body, but perpendicular to it so as to be able to be made to find the correct support for the body as it is made ready to provide energy to make a good throw. The body is leaned to the right side and on the side of the arm with the load of the discus. This is to give the right arm more rotation as it is swung to obtain the required momentum to enable the right arm to obtain enough energy to make a stronger throw. The head is also rotated to the side of the body, but with the eyes fixed on the direction of the throw. The left hand is swung on the opposite side to bring a balance to the body. Head: 75 degrees left rotation Neck: 10 degrees of left lateral flexion Torso: 16 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 25 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 0 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 20 degreeshyperextension, 75 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 25 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 85 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 9 degrees right rotation Right Hip: 30 degrees flexion Right Knee: 60 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 45 degrees eversion Left Hip: 15 degrees flexion Left Knee: 15 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 45 degrees eversion Base Support: standing on the right foot with legs apart and the left leg raised a bit, just above the ground and the shoulders hanging backwards. Description of Movements: one can easily note that the discus thrower is standing with the chest moved forward, the right leg on the ground and the right arm holding the discus is swung away from the body at an angle. This is the phase where the thrower gets to the final swinging stages. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: majorly the forwarding of the right leg and also of the chest and the shoulders is basically done at this stage in order to push the thrower to the front so that he can gain more force on his right arm. The left foot left to backwards in meant to give support to the whole body and also to maintain the center of gravity. The right arm points to the direction of the throw while the left arm has the elbow folded in position to make the right arm have all the energy. The right foot should be made to touch the ground fully so that it gives much support to the whole body and the left leg as it leaves the ground. The right hand is then held backwards behind the right legs so as to be able to collect a lot of force from far before the throw. The left arm should then point to the direction of the throw when the right arm holding the discus is points backwards. Head: 75 degrees left rotation Neck: 15 degrees of right lateral flexion Torso: 10 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 10 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 0 degrees flexion, 95 degrees pronation Right Shoulder: 75 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 35 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 75 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 14 degrees hyperextension Right Hip: 10 degrees flexion Right Knee: 10 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 5 degrees eversion Left Hip: 15 degrees flexion Left Knee: 15 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 45 degrees eversion Base Support: standing with both feet on the ground, the right foot fully on the ground while the left foot is just leaving the ground, the thrower is standing by the sides, with the left shoulder raised higher than the right shoulder. Description of Movements: it is evident that the thrower has his left leg leading the way with the waist twisted backwards and the right leg follows with the right arm facing backwards. This phase of discus throwing is where the thrower is moving closer to the final swings. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: the horizontal stance is always part of this phase as it makes the body aligns itself with the hands and the legs so that all the energy derived from the whole process can be gathered and directed to the same direction. The left leg while put to lead the way, it is meant to hold the ground firmly as it holds the body from the toes with the back raised up. The body alignment is made to lean backwards as the chest bulges outwards to the front. The left hand also points to the direction of the throw as the right arm holding the discus points backwards where the right leg is leaning at to provide support that would make the right hand move forward with much strength. The center of gravity in this case moves backwards towards the right foot, however, the movement of the rest of the body forward maintains the body balance and keeps the center of gravity a bit stable. Head: 60 degrees left rotation Neck: 8 degrees of left lateral flexion Torso: 8 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 6 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 3 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 85 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 52 degrees lateral flexion Left Shoulder: 80 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 4 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 10 degrees flexion Right Knee: 30 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 5 degrees inversion Left Hip: 8 degrees hyperextension Left Knee: 8 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 120 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 5 degrees eversion Base Support: standing with the left leg on the ground, left knee a bit bended at 8 degrees while the right leg is held up the ground and the right knee bended at 30 degrees. Description of Movements: one can easily note how the chest and the body are aligned backwards as the left leg is moved to the front and the right leg is aligned to the back to provide support. This stage of discus throwing is one that makes the body be in a position to gather the required energy to make the throw. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: in this stage, the left leg is carried in such a position that it does not really leave the ground but supports the whole body and puts it in position. The right leg is held at a raised position so as to provide enough energy to the right hand to enable a good throw. The waist is rotated to the left to enable the upper parts of the body to turn backwards, allowing the chest to get exposed forwards as the head is turned a bit backwards with the gaze towards the intended direction of the throw. The neck is also rotated at 8 degrees with flexion, while the head is rotated up to 60 degrees, but the eyes are still left to be fixed to the direction of the throw. The center of gravity in this case has also moved a little backwards but the right foot still keeps the body in position. Head: 0 degrees left rotation Neck: 0 degrees of right lateral flexion Torso: 8 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 0 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 120 degrees flexion, 70 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 50 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 70 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 8 degrees left rotation Right Hip: 25 degrees flexion Right Knee: 40 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 120 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 15 degrees eversion Left Hip: 8 degrees flexion Left Knee: 8 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 130 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 15 degrees inversion Base Support: supported on one leg but also almost all the legs are leaving the ground, the right shoulder is held high up and the right knee is bowed. Description of Movements: as one will realize, the right leg has just been moved forward and the right hand too, trying to lose the grip of the discus and make it leave with the highest momentum possible. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: in this phase, the right hand is straight, long and high ready to strike. The head is moved forward to the direction of the throw, same the chest and the shoulders. The legs try to leave the ground as the whole body tries to give support to the right hand in giving the best throw. Considering the bow position, the right leg has been moved forward. The left arm is braced and firm. At this stage, all the force is required to be gathered so as to be released the discus to the targeted position. The center of gravity is moved forward slightly, even though the left leg maintains the body in position. The waist is rotated to the right so that it can give the body and the right arm the most of the energy it will require. The right hip is also driven up in order to allow the body to jump up in order to push for the much energy required for the throw. Head: 30 degrees right rotation Neck: 6 degrees of right lateral flexion Torso: 5 degrees right lateral flexion Right Wrist: 80 degrees flexion Right Elbow: 10 degrees flexion Right Shoulder: 70 degrees flexion, 60 degrees lateral flexion Left Wrist: 0 degrees flexion Left Elbow: 12 degrees flexion Left Shoulder: 70 degrees lateral flexion Waist: 6 degrees right rotation Right Hip: 5 degrees flexion Right Knee: 5 degrees flexion Right Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Right Foot: 5 degrees inversion Left Hip: 15 degrees flexion, 18 degree abduction Left Knee: 30 degrees flexion Left Ankle: 90 degree plantar flexion Left Foot: 15 degrees inversion Base Support: the body is supported on the right leg which is grounded firmly on the ground with the left leg lagging away behind. The head and shoulders are forward. Description of Movements: the right arm comes fast and last, it is very clear that the discus has been released with a great speed and momentum. Proper Techniques and Flaws in this Performance: the right leg which seems much grounded very strongly on the ground to provide a very firm support to the whole body as it moves to give the right arm enough force to strike or throw the discus. The waist rotates and bends to the front in order to support the entire body that is moving forward to enable the right arm make the furthest throw. The left leg moves back in order to spread the body weight and allow the body weight to balance within the legs. The center of gravity at this point tends to move the sides slightly, but the left arm is pulled backwards in order to maintain the center of gravity low in order to give balance to the body. The right arm in this case should be swung to the back to at least to try and pull back the weight of the body and make it be able to balance so that the body does not fall to the front. Read More