A Study on Morphological Characteristics and Physical Fitness of Hammer Throwers In India

Hammer throwers need to be strong like the shot putters; however they must be quick and technically sound due to the complexity of the event. Distinct anthropometrics differences occur between the sexes throwing the hammer. The differences in mass and size between the sexes has a distinct relationship on hammer throw technique. The time for overall throw, distance throw and time for each individual turn are variables anthropometric differences will affect. Men being larger and throwing a heavier implement have to overcome larger amounts of inertia, centripetal and centrifugal forces to achieve throw success. Men throw an implement weighing 7.26 kg. Women throw an implement weighing 3.26 kg. less than the men. The difference in implement weight does factor into the amount of force needed to overcome inertia and to balance against the centripetal forces. The men have greater differences in time for each individual turn as they progress through the throw. Due to larger amounts of inertia, men begin slowly and increase their speed at a greater rate than women early in the throw. Men turn more rapidly during the last two turns than women. The hammer throw is said to have its roots in Scotland and Ireland history. People are familiar with the Scottish Highland Games, where events like the sheaf toss, weight throw for distance, and tossing the caber are the events and highlight the strength and power of the participants. Another competition at these games finds men throwing the working sledge hammer or long hammer. The long hammer is a metal ball attached to a 3/8” x 4 foot long wooden handle. The predecessor to this implement was a quarry rock attached to varying lengths of wooden handles. Organizers eventually made a standard for the length of the hammer handle. The event evolved and split into two different forms: the working sledge hammer throw and the modern hammer. Both forms continue today. Science tells us there are specific factors helping determine success in any event. These factors are anthropometric and physical fitness qualities occurring in the right combinations for the athlete. Also, it is dangerous heavier to increase loading until the growth points or epiphyses of the long bones have closed growth has ended. This occurs at approximately 16-18 years. The optimum age for learning the skills and developing speed is between 8-13 years. The loading they are expected to lift are kept to less than 60% of maximum. Such lifting stimulates both skeletal and muscular growth. Another anthropometric characteristic is the location of the center of mass. Center of mass location for the thrower is different between the sexes due to differences in weight and mass distribution. Smaller body mass and a lighter implement take women less energy to develop the counter against the forces acting upon them. Men sit lower to counter the greater forces placed upon the system. The three determining factors of throw success are the velocity, height and angle at release. The most important factor is velocity at release. Men typically are capable of generating more force. This allows males to increase velocity to higher levels than females. In the hammer, the ability to maintain ground contact with both feet for as long as possible will enhance the acceleration of the ball.

Hammer throwing is an exciting, challenging and fitness demanding event in the athletics. The performance standard is around 84 meter. So to fill this gap, there is a need of diagnosis of the conditions under. But unfortunately in India, no study has been done in this regard. Therefore, the present investigation is conducted. This present study is done to know morphological characteristics and physical fitness level of men and women hammer throwers in India.

The present study was designed to know morphological characteristics and physical fitness level of India hammer throwers. So the problem is stated as:

The quest to enhance physical performance has led to very specific and multifaceted modes of training. The primary purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the level of different fitness components in relation to performance of Indian hammer throwers. The importance of knowing more about the athletes and their athletic potential implies an organized, systematic and consistent evaluation. All evaluation procedure and means of testing should aim at objectively quantifying the athlete’s evolution, stagnation or eventual performance deterioration. Every event comprises of its own particular characteristics. These characteristics determine the structure of performance. Performance structure is the physical physiological mechanical and psychic structure of the motor action or actions done during the competition. Depending on the nature of sport qualitative and quantitative values of different selected parameters of this multi-dimensional process are recorded and measured in order to get an idea of this process. Sports performance depends on particular performance prerequisites and their harmonious relationship. These are personality, condition technique/coordination, tactics and constitutions condition i.e. physical fitness consists of strength speed, endurance and their complex forms is their main object of this study and analysis. Therefore, in the present study , the attention is given to the physical fitness prerequisites needed for good performance in hammer throw and training for the development of their prerequisites, their tests, test norms and studies related morphological characteristics of hammer throwers.

characteristics of hammer throwers in India. In this study, the selection of sample, selections of variable, reliability of the data have been described.

For the study, a total number of 60 male and 30 female hammer thrower from the different places of India during the course of various coaching camps, training sessions; they were attending in connection with the national and international competitions were selected as subjects for the study. In the study, the performance data of each subject in all tests was obtained as a part of the Hammer throw training programme. However it was not possible to conduct the tests of all the subjects at the period same time. The data collected on all throwers were grouped into two group men and women Hammer throwers. Major groups were further divided into sub groups, 5 groups each, such as 40m-45m, 45m-50m, 50m-55m, 55m-60m and 60m-65m for men and 30m-35m………50m-55m for women category.

The investigator thoroughly went through scientific literature related to hammer throwers that was available from books, magazines, journals and periodicals. Keeping in view the relevance of the variables to hammer throw performance and feasibility criteria, the variables were selected for the study.

All the hammer throwers taken in the present study on the present performance with the standard implement of both men and women. The performance in hammer throws of the subjects ranged between 40m to 65m for men and 30m to 55m for women. The sample selected for the study was considered appropriate as per the purpose of the investigation.

The throwers were tested carefully arranging the tests and other training requirements in rotation on separate days. The investigator tried his best to conduct the tests for all the subjects, under similar and standard conditions; the tests were grouped and arranged in a sequence, which formed an integral part of training. The tests were planned as an integral part of the training in consultation with the coaches. The tests pertaining to barbell exercises were conducted during morning hours from 7.00 AM on wards. All the other tests such as throwing, jumping

fellow master students were taken for the administration of the tests. All the equipment needed for the tests were checked and counter checked to ensure accuracy and standardization. The shots with specific weights were weighted on standard weighing machine and were specially marked for the purpose of conducting the tests. A steel tape was used for the measurement of distances. Battery operated digital watches for the accuracy of 1/100th of was used in order to record the time. Standard barbell sets from the respective department’s weight-training hall were utilized for the maximum strength and power tests.

The study has been conducted with the following hypothesis: 1. There will be significant differences in Physical Fitness profile of men and women Hammer throwers at different level of performance. 2. There will be significant differences in body morphology of men and women hammer throwers. 3. There will be significant differences in body Morphology of men Hammer throwers with the standards based on Olympic game athletes criteria. 4. There will be differences in Physical Fitness profile at different levels of performance of Indian men and women hammer throwers with norms.

Present study has been conducted with the following objectives: 1. To find out the significant differences in Physical Fitness profile of men and women Hammer throwers at different level of performance. 2. To access the significant differences in body morphology of men and women hammer throwers. 3. To explore the significant differences in body Morphology of men Hammer throwers with the standards.

1. PHYSICAL FITNESS PROFILE:

It refers to the athlete’s status on those components which are essential for efficient functioning in the psycho-motor domain. These components are performance oriented and are dependent upon functioning of different system of the body in an integrated manner.

2. MOTOR ABILITY:

3. ANGLE OF THE HAMMER AT RELEASE:

4. HEIGHT OF THE HAMMER AT RELEASE.

The height the hammer head is from the ground at the time of release.

5. SPEED:

Speed is the capacity of moving a limb or part of the body’s system or the whole body with the greatest possible velocity.

6. MAXIMUM STRENGTH:

It is the ability to overcome or act against maximum resistance. It is measured by finding out maximum resistance which can be overcome or maximum force which can be applied by the muscles.

7. EXPLOSIVE POWER:

Explosive power is an action where maximum muscular force is released at maximum speed. It is also said to an Elastic strength.

8. REACTIVE POWER:

It is the ability to release maximum force with the body weight in the fastest possible time. It is also known as all body power. 9. LOW LOAD SPEED STRENGTH:

10. HEAVY LOAD SPEED STRENGTH:

It is defined as the ability to overcome the resistance in minimum possible time with heavy/high load.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

This study will lead to important training guidelines for improving the performance of Indian Hammer Throwers. It will be helpful for selecting Hammer Throwers at early ages. The results study will be helpful for guideline and counseling about the body Morphology and physical fitness of hammer throwers. The study will be helpful for talent identification of novice throwers. Conclusions may be helpful to the coaches to identify the training selected changes. Results of present study may serve as yard sticks for other hammer throwers to have to same morphological characteristics of physical fitness tests.

The findings of the study are discussed under the following headings: o Physical fitness tests

The following findings were arrived of physical fitness tests from the result of the study:- 1. There was found significant differences among the present hammer thrower on bench press test. 2. While comparing the mean value of bench press of all the male groups, it was noticed that only low performance group was better with the norms based on Olympic game athletes criteria 3. It has also been observed that women hammer throwers differ significantly as the F-ratio was significant at 1% level.

The following findings of morphological characteristic were arrived at from the results of the study: 1. It is concluded that F-ratio of ANOVA for age has been found significant differences among all the five groups of men hammer throwers. found younger and student t - value was found significant between Indian and Olympic throwers. 3. In women hammer throwers, F- ratio was found significant among five groups. 4. Indian women hammer throwers were found in the same age range as shown by the different Olympic throwers and t- value was found non-significant between Indian and Olympic women throwers.

RESULTS:

1. Results pertaining to physical fitness tests for men and women hammer throwers. 2. Results pertaining to morphological characteristics for men and women hammer throwers. 3. Results pertaining to significant difference between morphological characteristics of present hammer throwers with standards of Olympic throwers.

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