Track and field throwing performance prediction: Training intervention, muscle architecture adaptations and field tests explosiveness ability

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a) modification in muscle architecture due to training intervention and b) neuromuscular explosive field tests results may predict competition performance in track and field throwing athletes. Methods: Eleven track and field throwers completed 10 weeks of specific training that was performed prior to the summer official national competition. Before and following the 10 weeks of training programe, track and field throwing trials, vastus lateralis muscle architecture, shot put tests, standing long jump, and 40m sprinting were evaluated. Results: Track and field throwing performance, muscle thickness, fascicle length and power-position shot put throw all increased by 5.78 ± 2.82% (P = 0.000), 6.2 ± 7.4% (P = 0.01), 10.5 ± 13.1% (P = 0.02) and 2.8 ± 3.9% (P = 0.04), respectively. Sprinting time in 40m decreased by-1.2 ± 1.0% (P = 0.004), whilst, work power output during the standing long-jump increased by 1.7 ± 2.5% (P = 0.03) when compared between pre-and post-training intervention. The power-position shot put throwing result was positively correlated with the increase in standing long-jump (r = 0.81, P < 0.01) and with the increase in 40m sprint (r =-0.63, P < 0.05) performances. The increase in muscle thickness was positively correlated with the increase in 40m sprint performance (r = 0.62, P < 0.05). The multiple linear regression analysis, combining the percentage alteration in backward shot put throw and vastus lateralis thickness with the proportional increase in track and field throwing competition performance, explains the 56% increase observed in throwing competition result. Conclusions: These results may suggest that consistent examination of muscle thickness and evaluation of throwing ability using explosive field tests during a training period both may be used to predict the increase in track and field throwing competive performance.