Throwing Performance is Associated with Muscular Power

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that performance in throwing events is associated with muscular characteristics of both upper and lower limbs. Thirty-eight male throwers volunteered to participate. Bench press and half squat tests were conducted on a guided barbell. The barbell displacement signal was recorded using a kinematic system. Maximal power, corresponding optimal velocity and force (P max S, V opt S, F opt S and P max BP, V opt BP, F opt BP for half squat and bench press, respectively) were extrapolated from the power-velocity relationship. Lower limb stiff ness (K) was determined during maximal hopping. The results demonstrated that P max S and P max BP were correlated with each thrower ' s season ' s best performance (SBP, r = 0.54, p < 0.01 and r = 0.71, p < 0.001, respectively). P max S expressed relative to body mass was not correlated with SBP. K was signifi cantly correlated with SBP ( r = 0.66, p < 0.001). The relationship between P max BP expressed relative to body mass and SBP remained signifi cant ( r = 0.54, p < 0.001). The results of the study suggest that high strength and stiff ness values for lower limbs and strength and velocity characteristics for upper limbs may be associated with athletic throwing performance.