Manipulating implement weight during warm up to improve shot put performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of overweight and underweight implements impacts on shot putting performance along with technical and physiological changes. Ten collegiate shot putters participated in this study (6 male, 4 female). Each participant completed 3 non consecutive days of data collection. Each day consisted of 3 warm up throws followed by 6 maximal effort regulation weighted throws. Warm up throws consisted of one of three conditions: (1) overweight (2) underweight or (3) regulation. In agreement with prior literature on post-activation potentiation (PAP), those who threw with overweight implements showed significant increases in performance. No changes in critical factor kinematics or ground reaction force measures were affected by warm up weight. Results of this study conclude that using a heavy implement during warmups is a functional way to improve performance, however more research is needed to further uncover the underlying mechanisms.