Mass and Velocity: Control Parameters for Throwing Patterns

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if change in segmental mass and increases in throwing velocity act as control parameters to alter throwing patterns. Twenty participants were categorized into four levels of throwing pattern. Each participant was required to make 10 throws at various velocities within 8 conditions. Conditions resulted from combinations of altered mass of the arm, forearm, and hand. Quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated that changes in segmental mass and release velocity either increased or decreased levels of throwing pattern depending on the initial throwing level. It was concluded that mass and velocity may be control parameters which instigate changes in throwing patterns.

The Influence of Task Constraints on the Glenohumeral Horizontal Abduction Angle of the Overarm Throw of Novice Throwers

“…The results of the current study suggest that previous findings regarding the development of the overarm throw can be compared across studies in which implements of different size and weight were thrown. However, the findings of the present study do not support previous research by Southard (1998) and Cross (2004), which suggested that throwing motions are changed with the addition of an external mass, because altering the inertial properties of the system changes the kinematics of the overarm throw, per the suggestions of Alexander (1991). It appears that the findings described by Southard (1998) and Cross (2004), which included mature throwers, cannot be generalized to novice throwers.…”

“…Only a few studies have accounted for the third axiom of Newell's model, which is the task constraint (Cross, 2004;Southard, 1998). For instance, several studies have investigated how various populations of children respond to different instructional strategies when learning the skill of throwing (e.g., Goodway & Branta, 2003;Goodway, Rudisill, & Valentini, 2002;Valentini & Rudisill, 2004a, 2004b, but the majority of the studies have not reported or described the size or weight of the throwing implement.…”

“…Southard (1998) and Cross (2004) expanded on Alexander's postulation by investigating the influence of different inertial properties on humeral lag in adult throwers. Specifically, Southard found that mature throwers were more susceptible to external increases in segment mass of the throwing limb (Southard, 1998).…”

“…Southard (1998) and Cross (2004) expanded on Alexander's postulation by investigating the influence of different inertial properties on humeral lag in adult throwers. Specifically, Southard found that mature throwers were more susceptible to external increases in segment mass of the throwing limb (Southard, 1998). Cross (2004) continued this line of research by examining the maximum object speeds and release angles of different masses and found that more massive objects are thrown at higher angles to the horizontal than less massive objects (Cross, 2004).…”

Cluster Analysis of Movement Patterns in Multiarticular Actions: A Tutorial

“…Both participants typically played as forward and were experienced at the hook shot technique. The changing distance imposed differential strength requirements on participants and was assumed to induce changes in movement patterning (Southard, 1998(Southard, , 2002. The study was performed in a gymnasium selected for its ceiling height of only 4.5m.…”