The Effect of Video analysis on Initial Discus Learning Curve for Novice Throwers
School Name
Chapin High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Physics
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The discus throw is an Olympic event in which a person hurls a weighted disc as far as they can. This event has been held since 776 BCE, but just in the last 100 years, throwers have adopted a new technique. Discus has been a sport largely unexplored by science and with today's technology, improvement can be made. This project aimed to shorten the initial learning curve of throwing discus by using video analysis. First, varsity level throwers recorded 30 throws and analysis of those videos revealed the individual needs of each thrower, with a focus on body angle, release angle, and foot separation. A group of beginner level throwers was assembled and divided into two groups: control and experimental. The control group received traditional coaching whereas the experimental group had access to video analysis and the optimal variables found earlier. The optimal variables found were leaning back, throwing flat, and having a wide stance. All beginner level throwers recorded a pre-coaching throw and three post-coaching throws which were averaged. A matched pair T test of the data from the two groups revealed a statistically significant improvement in their distances (p=0.004), but no significance to the difference in coaching method (p=0.175). This supports the idea that every thrower benefits from slightly different training, especially in the initial stages.
Recommended Citation
Swingle, Noah, "The Effect of Video analysis on Initial Discus Learning Curve for Novice Throwers" (2017). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 177.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2017/all/177
Location
Wall 307
Start Date
3-25-2017 11:15 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Video analysis on Initial Discus Learning Curve for Novice Throwers
Wall 307
The discus throw is an Olympic event in which a person hurls a weighted disc as far as they can. This event has been held since 776 BCE, but just in the last 100 years, throwers have adopted a new technique. Discus has been a sport largely unexplored by science and with today's technology, improvement can be made. This project aimed to shorten the initial learning curve of throwing discus by using video analysis. First, varsity level throwers recorded 30 throws and analysis of those videos revealed the individual needs of each thrower, with a focus on body angle, release angle, and foot separation. A group of beginner level throwers was assembled and divided into two groups: control and experimental. The control group received traditional coaching whereas the experimental group had access to video analysis and the optimal variables found earlier. The optimal variables found were leaning back, throwing flat, and having a wide stance. All beginner level throwers recorded a pre-coaching throw and three post-coaching throws which were averaged. A matched pair T test of the data from the two groups revealed a statistically significant improvement in their distances (p=0.004), but no significance to the difference in coaching method (p=0.175). This supports the idea that every thrower benefits from slightly different training, especially in the initial stages.
