Associations between strength and power and throwing performance in high-level male and female javelin throwers

Köykkä, Miika ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0451-9099, Ihalainen, Johanna K ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9428-4689, Saari, Anssi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6497-3069, Waller, Benjamin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0738-0670 and Cronin, Neil J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5332-1188 (2026) Associations between strength and power and throwing performance in high-level male and female javelin throwers. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. doi:10.1177/17479541261448854 (In Press)

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Abstract

Javelin throwing presents some unique characteristics compared to other overarm throwing sports and imposes considerable physical demands on the throwers. As these demands have not been adequately quantified in the literature, this study investigated the associations between strength, power, and javelin throwing performance. Thirteen male (age: 24 ± 3 years, personal best: 77.0 ± 5.7 m, javelin throwing as the primary sport: 8 ± 3 years) and fourteen female (24 ± 5 years, 55.6 ± 5.7 m, 8 ± 4 years) javelin throwers were tested for javelin throwing performance, unilateral and bilateral vertical jumps, standing overhead medicine ball throw, and isometric maximal strength in various upper and lower body exercises. In males, throwing performance was associated moderately to strongly with bilateral and unilateral drop and depth jump measures, and with forearm supination strength of the throwing arm (R = .56 to .72, p < .05). In females, throwing performance was associated moderately to strongly with ankle plantarflexion and hip abduction strength in each leg, as well as with grip and shoulder internal rotation strength of the throwing arm (R = .55 to .73, p < .05). The results show clear sex-specific differences in important strength and power measures for javelin throwing. In males, better throwers possess greater lower body power whereas better female throwers display greater upper and lower body maximal strength.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Depth jump; kinematics; sex-specific differences; shoulder; track & field
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports > GV0712 Athletic contests. Sports events G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports Q Science > QP Physiology Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2026 09:28
Last Modified:	01 Jun 2026 12:45
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/16316

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