An Electromyographic Study of Selected Muscles Involved in the Shot Put

Abstract

The purpose of this study was (a) to investigate by means of electromyography the functions of the pectoralis major (upper portion), the deltoideus, the triceps brachii, and the teres major in putting the shot; (b) to compare findings from the electromyographic study with findings from a mechanical analysis of the execution of the shot put; and (c) to compare the muscle actions and movement patterns of shotputters differing in skill. The six subjects were divided into three groups in terms of shotputting ability. For each subject as he put the shot, a minimum of four recordings for each muscle studied was taken. An analysis of the resulting data indicates that the pattern of acceleration that results in the greatest final velocity when the shot is released is a gradual increase in acceleration during the movements across the circle, with a large increase in acceleration during the final shoulder and arm thrust. The teres major appears to contribute least force to a maximum effort in putting the shot.