Variables Associated with High School Shot Put Performance

This study determined the relationship between high school athletes' maximal strength, jumping, and sprinting with shot put performance. High school athletes (n = 9; 16.9 ± 1 years; 110.4 ± 10.8 kg; 183.73 ± 9.33 cm) performed the broad jump, 1RM squat, 1RM bench, 40-yard dash with 10-yd split, and shot put. Strong positive correlations between shot put performance and broad jump (r = 0.89), 1RM squat (r = 0.90), and 1RM bench press (r = 0.87), and a strong negative correlation between shot put performance and 40-yd dash (r = -0.86) were observed. No significant correlation was found between shot put performance and 10-yd split times. Results indicate that shot put performance is associated with strength, jumping, and sprinting. It is valuable for coaches to understand relationships between physical fitness measurements, such as strength, power, and speed/acceleration, with shot put performance to predict competition performance, make training adjustments, and develop young throwers appropriately.