Recent scientific evidence suggest that both fibre type composition and power capacity of the triceps brachii muscle explain only a part of the shot put performance in modest-skilled subjects (Terzis et al. 2003). To further investigate the muscular function in this throwing event we studied the activation of certain protagonist muscles during the shot put using surface electromyography (EMG), in well trained shot putters. It was hypothesised that the level of activation of these muscles during the actual throwing would be related to the shot put performance. Thus the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the activation level of certain protagonist muscles during the shot put and throwing performance in experienced shot putters. Methods Nine experienced shot putters (age 25±2yrs, body height 191±5cm, body mass 112±8kg, right hand dominance) of medium to high caliber (>6 years of shot put training experience, best performance 15.15m - 18.63m) performed the shot put starting from the power position as well as with the full gliding technique. They also performed a maximum squat and an incline bench-press strength test. Electromyographic (EMG) data were recorded from vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, pectoralis and triceps brachii muscles of the right side, during all efforts. EMG electrodes were connected with a pre-amplifier unit of an MP100 acquisition system (BIOPAC Systems Inc., CA, USA). EMG signals (sampling frequency 1 kHz) were recorded at a Centris 660 Macintosh computer. All EMG amplitude data were expressed as a ratio to the muscle activation during the respective strength test. Results Shot put from the power position was significantly correlated with the activation of right vastus lateralis during the last 200 msec before the explosive strike of the arm (r=0.87; P<0.01). Shot put with the full gliding technique was significantly correlated with the activation of right pectoralis and vastus lateralis (r=0.79; P<0.01, r=0.91, Fig. 1; P<0.01, respectively) which occurred after the taking the power position. Discussion/Conclusion These results suggest that an important parameter for shot put performance appears to be the activation of quadriceps and pectoralis muscle just before the put. This provides experimental evidence that specific strength, which can be defined as the strength produced during the actual sport event, is probably one of the most decisive parameter for a successful thrower.
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