Biomechanics of a Discus

Throw

By: Noah Rodriguez

Nick Cotta
Isela King
Trinity Martinez

Introduction:
The components of a discus throw is made up of numerous fast twitch movements in the
body beginning at the internal rotation of the leg and leading to specific movements in the
shoulder girdle that will maximize the power and distance of the discus throw. The main
movements of the throw are made up of muscles such as the trapezius fibers, the serratus
anterior, pectoralis minor, quadriceps, and calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus). After
identifying the specific muscles involved in the throw, we delved into the throw itself and
separated it into four phases: the stance phase, the preparation phase, the movement phase
(separated into parts I and II), and the follow through phase (separated into parts I and II). We
then took the phases and broke them down further using video analysis to see specifically what
actions the muscles were doing. By using Hudl technique we were able to identify their actions,
and discovered that most of the phases involved abduction, pronation, supination, dorsiflexion,
flexion, retraction, protraction, internal/external rotation and plantar flexion. By doing this
project we are able to apply what we have learned to the mechanics of the discus throw and
discuss our findings with other students.

Video Clip:
https://youtu.be/nM-4VH-24LM

Description of the Starting Position:

The athlete begins with her ankles and feet dorsiflexed and approximately shoulder width apart
with her knees are flexed. The athletes arms are extended and her left and right scapulas are

abducted and depressed. Finally, the athletes right hand is pronated and her left hand is
supinated.

Description of the Complete Activity:

The athlete begins in a stance phase with her ankles and feet dorsiflexed and approximately
shoulder width apart with her knees flexed. The athletes arms are extended and her left and right
scapulas are abducted and depressed. Finally, the athletes right hand is pronated and her left
hand is supinated. The next phase the athlete will perform is the preparation phase. In the
preparation phase the athletes left hand pronates, while the right hand supinates. In the athletes
left shoulder the left scapula protracts and the glenohumeral abducts and in the right shoulder the
right scapula retracts and glenohumeral abducts. Then the rectus abdominis rotates, and the
athletes left knee flexes and internally rotates along with the left ankle and foot in plantar
flexion. The athletes right knee then externally rotates along with the right foot and ankle in
dorsiflexed position. The athlete then transitions into the movement phase, split up into two
parts. The athletes left hand is pronated, and the right hand is supinated. Then, the rectus
abdominus rotates, and right and left knee flex. The athletes left and right arms are extended,

and the right and left scapula are retracting while the right and left glenohumeral abduct. Moving
down, the left leg externally rotates while the right leg internally rotates. Finally, the left foot and
ankle are plantar flexed while the right ankle and foot are dorsiflexed. In the second part of the
movement phase, the athletes right and left hands are pronated, with the right arm extended and
the left arm slightly flexed. Then, the right scapula retracts while the left scapula protracts, and
the glenohumeral abducts. The left shoulder is elevated and internally rotated while the rectus
abdominus rotates. The left and right legs and knees are flexed, and the left leg internally rotates.
The right ankle and foot are plantar flexed while the left ankle and foot are dorsiflexed. The final
phase the athlete has to accomplish is the follow through phase which is split into two different
parts. The athlete begins with her right and left hands are pronated while the left shoulder is
elevated and pronated, and the right shoulder retracted. The athletes left and right glenohumeral
abducts while the rectus abdominus rotates, and her knees are flexed. Finally, the left foot and
ankle are plantar flexed, and the right foot and ankle are dorsiflexed. In the second part of the
follow through phase, the right and left hands are pronated, while the right and left arms are
flexed. The right shoulder is elevated, and the left shoulder is depressed. Finally, rectus
abdominus and both right and left legs extend, and the right foot is dorsiflexed while the left foot
is plantar flexed.

Muscular Analysis:
A. The prime movers of the discus throw that help contribute to the movements of the
shoulder gilders are the supraspinatus, deltoid, pectoralis major and minor, infraspinatus,
teres minor, serratus anterior, and rhomboid.
B. Type of contractions in the shoulder girdle and its muscles consist of eccentric,
concentric, and isometric. In the motion of the throw the deltoid is concentric because it
assists your body with the action of keeping your arm out during the whole throw. The
eccentric antagonist muscle is the latissimus dorsi because it allows the deltoid to
contract in the throw. During the motion of the throw the pectoralis minor and major are
activated at the power position of the throw through the whole throw, but once the athlete
hits the release it goes through concentric contraction. The antagonist of that motion from
the pectoralis muscle is the serratus anterior and it elongates and has a eccentric
contraction.

Method:
We filmed a female discus athlete with an Ipad, and examined her technique using Hudl
Technique and MB Anatomy. By watching the video, frame by frame it showed us the
biomechanics of the discus throw. We took screenshots of each stage of the throw, such as
Stance Phase, Preparation Phase, Movement Phase and Follow Through Phase. After examining
each phase we stated what the muscle or joints did, such as; the hands being pronated or
supinated and knees flexed or extended.

Works Cited
Dapena, Jesus, and William J. Anderst. "Scientific Services Project." Discus Throw. Web.
Floyd, R. T. Manual of Structural Kinesiology. Nineteenth ed., ibook ed., New
York, McGraw-Hill Ed., 2015.
McGinnis, Peter Merton. Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise. Edited by Amy N.
Tocco and Loarn D. Robertson, Third ed., ibook ed., Cortland, State U of
New York, 1954.
Yu, Bing. "The Biomechanics of Throwing Discus." Center For Human Movement Science. The
University of North Carolina, n.d.