Authors
Lawrence W. Judge, Marieb College of Health and Human Services, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
Exal Garcia-Carrillo, Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Faculty of Education Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
Aimee Gros, School of Kinesiology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, USA
Donald Hoover, DPT Program, Quincy University, Quincy, IL, USA
Miles Bowley, School of Kinesiology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA
David M. Bellar, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(6): 6010, 2026.
Abstract
The rotational shot put, introduced in the 1970s, has evolved into the predominant technique in elite men’s competition; however, its key biomechanical determinants remain less comprehensively quantified than those of the glide technique. Guided by projectile motion principles and contemporary shot kinematics research, this study evaluated the predictive contributions of release velocity, release angle, and release height to throw distance among elite male rotational shot putters competing at World Championships (n = 32). It was hypothesized that all three parameters would significantly predict performance, with release velocity demonstrating the greatest relative influence. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the combined model explained a substantial proportion of variance in throwing distance (R² = .61; Adjusted R² = .58, p < .001). Release velocity emerged as the dominant predictor (β = 0.882, B = 2.352, 95% CI [1.72,2.98], p < .001), while release angle (β = 0.334, B = 0.09, 95% CI [0.04,0.14], p < .001) and release height (β = 0.213, B = 1.51, 95% CI [0.58,2.44], p = .003) also contributed independently and significantly. The regression model indicated that a 1 m·s⁻¹ increase in release velocity corresponded to an estimated 2.35 m increase in throw distance, whereas each additional degree of release angle predicted approximately 0.09 m of improvement. These findings demonstrate the substantially greater proportional contribution of release velocity relative to release angle and release height. By quantifying the relative magnitude of these kinematic determinants, this study provides evidence-based benchmarks to inform individualized coaching strategies and optimize elite rotational shot put performance.
Recommended Citation
Judge, Lawrence W.; Garcia-Carrillo, Exal; Gros, Aimee; Hoover, Donald; Bowley, Miles; Bellar, David M. (2026) “Performance Optimization in Rotational Style Shot Put: An Exploratory Predictive Analysis of Release Factors on Throw Distance,” International Journal of Exercise Science, 19(6):6010.