There are several common injuries that can occur in javelin throwers, including injuries to the elbow, shoulder, and back. Key factors that can help prevent these injuries are having proper throwing technique, sufficient strength and conditioning of the whole body, adequate flexibility and joint range of motion, and supervision of athletes. Common elbow injuries include "thrower's elbow" which can result from improper technique producing excess strain on the ligaments. Shoulder injuries often involve displacement of the humeral head and can be addressed through strengthening exercises. Back injuries typically involve muscle strains or stress fractures from the alternating flexion and extension demands on the lumbar spine during the throw.
2. Javelin
Background Information
Event in Track and Field
Weight of the javelin
Men‟s = 800g, Female‟s = 600g
No “unorthodox” techniques are permitted.
Use a runway with a foul line
Tip of the javelin must strike the ground first
Benefit from the agility and athleticism
typically associated with running and jumping
events, also require considerable core and
upper body strength.
References; 1,10
3. Javelin
History
On April 1st, 1986 the men‟s javelin was redesigned
so that the centre of gravity was moved forward
Same changes were made to the women‟s javelin
in 1999
Records
Male – 98.48m
Zan Železný (Czech Republic)
Click here to view the Male World Record Throw
Female – 72.28m
Barbora Špotáková (Czech Republic)
Click here to view the Female World Record Throw
References; 10
4. Injuries
An athlete becomes vulnerable to injury
without:
Proper strength and conditioning training
Good flexibility and joint range of motion
Correct technique
Three main injuries:
Elbow
Shoulder
Back
References; 1
5. Elbow
Most common elbow injury:
Medial epicondylitis
or “thrower‟s elbow”
It is an overuse injury resulting from recurrent
minor strains of the ligament
Common in junior throwers and unskilled or
untrained athletes
Every javelin thrower will experience this injury
at some point, no matter what their age or
skill level
Image: www.guardian.co.uk
References; 1,4,6,9
6. Elbow
Imperfect technique plays
a major role in elbow injuries
“Round arm”
Delivered by a short, quick jerk of the arm
Treatment options:
Reduce intensity and
frequency of throwing
Complete rest
Local anesthetic
Hydrocortisone injections
Image: www.guardian.co.uk
References; 1,4,6,9
7. Elbow
Best way to prevent injury
Correct technique
Other elbow injures:
Ulnar neuritis
Tendonitis
Medial collateral ligament (instability, tear or
rupture)
Avulsion fracture of the epicondyle
Spurs or ossicles.
Image: www.guardian.co.uk
References; 1,4,6,9
8. Shoulder
Anterior humeral head
displacement
Occurs due to excessive external rotation
of the shoulder during the throw without
sufficient strength and range of motion
„„thrower‟s paradox.”
The balance between shoulder mobility and
stability
Image: sportsunlimitedblog.com
References; 1,2,6,7,8
9. Shoulder
Two treatment types
Non-operative (4 phases)
Phase 1: reduction of pain and inflammation
Phase 2: initiation of a progressive
strengthening program
Phase 3: advanced strengthening
Phase 4: return to competitive throwing.
10 Exercises:http://www.worldofjavelin.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/11/Throwers-Ten.pdf
Surgical
Aimed at restoring the shoulder capsule and
surrounding musculature
Image: sportsunlimitedblog.com
References; 1,2,6,7,8
10. Shoulder
Ways to Prevent Injury
Increase shoulder strength
Increase range of motion
Correct technique
Monitor volume of throws
Other shoulder injuries:
Abnormalities of the acromioclavicular joint
Entrapment of the suprascapular
nerve, (Proximal and distal)
Snapping of the scapula
„Little leaguer‟s shoulder‟
Image: sportsunlimitedblog.com
References; 1,2,6,7,8
11. Back
Muscle strains
Occur in the erector spinae
Caused from a sudden violent
exertion
Best treatment is rest
Spondylolysis
„wear and tear‟
Spondylolithesis
Fatigue fracture that causes anterior sliding of
the vertebra
Caused by alternating flexion, extension of the
lumbar area
Range of treatment options (rest, physio, pain
killers, cortisone, back brace)
Image: karapatterson.blogspot.com
References; 1,3,5
12. Back
A high proportion of back
injuries occur in
training, especially weights
training
Lack of
technique, supervision, and the
need to push physical limits
Ways to prevent injury:
Correct throwing technique
Increase core strength
Correct weights training
Athlete supervision Image: karapatterson.blogspot.com
References; 1,3,5
13. Summary
There are key factors that can be applied
to help prevent elbow, shoulder and back
injuries associated with javelin
4 key factors
Correct technique
Strength and Conditioning
Flexibility and joint range of motion
Athlete supervision
14. Reference List
1. Bird SR, Black N, Newton P. Sports Injuries: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention.
Injuries in Individual Sports and Racquet Sports, Great Britain: Ashford Press; 1997. P. 200
2. Braun S, Kokmeyer D, Millett PJ. Shoulder Injuries in the Throwing Athlete. J Bone Joint Surg
Am. 2009 Apr 2; 91: 966-978. doi:10.2106/JBJS.H.01341
3. Calhoon G, Fry AC. Injury Rates and Profiles of Elite Competitive Weightlifters. J Athl
Training. 1999; 34(3): 232-238.
4. Ciccotti MC, Schwartz MA, Ciccotti MG. Diagnosis and Treatment of Medial Epicondylitis
of the Elbow. Clin Sports Med. 2004; 23: 693-705. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2004.04.011
5. Davies JE, The Spine in Sport – Injuries, Prevention and Treatment. Br J Sports Med. 1980; 14:
18-20
6. Fleisig GS, Barrentine SW, Escamilla RF, Andrews JR. Biomechanics of Overhand Throwing
with Implications for Injuries. Sport Med. 1996 Jun; 21(6): 4221-437.
7. Harrington L. Glenohumeral joint: internal and external rotation range of motion in javelin
throwers. Br J Sports Med. 1998 Apr 1; 32: 226-228.
8. Meister K. Injuries to the Shoulder in the Throwing Athlete, Part Two: Evaluation/Treatment.
Am J Sport Med. 2000; 28(4): 587-600.
9. Miller JE. Javelin Thrower‟s Elbow. J Bone Joint Surg. 1960 Nov; 42B(4): 788-792
10. Nemeth Javelins [Internet. Budakeszi, Hungary; 2010 [cited 20 April 2013]. Available
from:http://www.nemethjavelins.hu/home
