ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the effects of javelin release parameters related to aerodynamics on aerodynamic distance and results in javelin throwing in actual competition environments. MethodsKinematic data from javelin throwing of 22 Chinese and American elite women javelin throwers were obtained using three-dimensional videographic method. The trial with the longest aerodynamic distance and the trial with the shortest aerodynamic distance for each thrower in the same competition were included in this study. Aerodynamics-related techinical parameters in long and short aerodynamic distance trials were compared. Results Compared with short aerodynamicdistance trials, the vacuum flight distances of long aerodynamic distance trials were significantly shorter, but the official distances were significantly longer. The release velocities of long aerodynamic distance trials were significantly lower, the attack angles and bending angles were significantly smaller. The horizontal direction angles at release of the long aerodynamic distance trials were more to the right side. The elevation angles and horizontal pointing angles during right/left foot landing in long aerodynamic distance trials were not significantly different from those in short aerodynamic distance trials. Conclusions Throwing javelin with submaximal effort beneficiates the control of aerodynamics-related release parameters and thus increased chances to obtain long aerodynamic distance and better result in women javelin throwing. Reducing attack angle and releasing javelin about 5°to the right will assist women javelin throwers to obtain longer aerodynamic distance.