Cross-sectional MRI areas of the trunk muscles, and capacity test of student javelin throwers compared with other throwers

Abstract

The present study was aimed to investigate the physical ability of javelin throwers among university students using the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Capacity Test, compared with other throwers. The anatomical cross-sectional areas (ACSAs) of trunk muscles were determined using MRI. Capacity Test is composed of 30m sprint, standing triple jump from a double-legged, backward over the head shot, forward over the head shot, sargent jump, snatch, and shoulder flexibility test with a javelin. Results are as follows: 1. The male javelin throwers (MJT) group showed significant correlation between javelin throw records and ASCAs per body mass of body trunk extensor muscles (r = 0.722, p<0.05). 2. There was significant correlation between the forward over the head shot, and javelin throw in MJT group (r = 0.800, p<0.01). And the same tendency was also seen in female javelin throwers (FJT) group (r = 0.735, p = 0.055). 3. The MJT group showed some correlation between javelin throw records and ASCAs per body mass of psoas major muscle (r = 0.657, p = 0.060). By the above-mentioned results, it was considered that the trunk extensors are important for male javelin throwers.