Biomechanical Assessment of Throwing Gesture and Performance in Female Water-Polo Players

Water-polo is an aquatic sport based on the high level of coordination of several body movements, frequent changes in positions, speeds, and directions. Considering technical and tactical aspects, the power, the force, and the shot accuracy have been identified as important skills and specific training programs can be scheduled with the attempt to improve them. Moreover, the biomechanical investigation of kinematic parameters during the shot can contribute to the evaluation of player’s throwing performance and to the description of gesture. The principal aim of the current study is the comparative analysis of throwing kinematics in three different types of shots. Eleven female players were evaluated before and after 45 days of a specific water-polo training. In the experimental tests, three types of shots were performed, shoulder and elbow angles and throwing velocity were analyzed. In addition, power and precision parameters were estimated to describe players’ throwing performance. During the passing-feint shot, a significant lower maximum velocity (before: 14.7 m/s; after: 13.9 m/s; p-value = 0.005) and a higher shoulder angle (before: 56.7°; after: 63.9°; p-value = 0.003) were observed. During the passing-spontaneous shot, players’ precision showed a tendency to increase after the training (score before: 9.0; score after: 11.0 score; p-value = 0.05). This study proved the feasibility of an objective biomechanical assessment of the throwing kinematics and throwing performance of water-polo players, in ecological conditions.