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Medicine Ball Javelin Quadrathlon

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made. In the analysis, we need to consider the factors influencing the results.

Objective

To monitor the development of the athlete's fitness and upper body strength.

Required Resources

To conduct this test, you will require:

  • 1.5kg, 2Kg and a 3Kg medicine balls
  • 30-metre tape measure
  • Assistant

How to conduct the test

  • The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
  • The athlete performs the 1st standing throw with a medicine ball (Men 2Kg - Ladies 1.5Kg)
  • The assistant marks the point where the medicine ball lands
  • The assistant measures and records the distance from the front foot (on release) to where the ball lands
  • The athlete performs a 2nd standing throw with a medicine ball (Men 3Kg - Ladies 2Kg)
  • The assistant marks the point where the medicine ball lands
  • The assistant measures and records the distance from the front foot (on release) to where the ball lands
  • The athlete performs the 1st three-step throw with a medicine ball (Men 2Kg - Ladies 1.5Kg)
  • The assistant marks the point where the medicine ball lands
  • The assistant measures and records the distance from the front foot (on release) to where the ball lands
  • The athlete performs a 2nd three-step throw with a medicine ball (Men 3Kg - Ladies 2Kg)

Explanation of the Throws

Standing Throw

  • Face forward with the medicine ball held overhead in two hands
  • Feet should be parallel and toeing the measuring line
  • Throw the ball for distance
  • A follow-through step is allowed

Distance is measured from the front foot (on release) to where the ball lands

 Standing Throw

Three-Step Throw

3 step throw 3 step throw 3 step throw 3 step throw
  • Start with both feet together in a stationary position
  • Take three steps forward with the medicine ball held overhead in two hands
  • Throw the ball for distance
  • A follow-through step is allowed

Distance is measured from the front foot (on release) to where the ball lands

Assessment

Enter the distance for each throw and then select the "calculate" button to analyse the results.

1st Standing Throw metres   2nd Standing Throw metres
1st Three Step Throw metres   2nd Three Step Throw metres
   Total points    

Points

Points are determined for each throw from the table below (Jones 1997)[1], and the four sets of points are summed to give a total score. The world's best score for this test is 76 points, and the UK's best score is 66 points.

Points 1st Standing Throw
Distance (metres)		 2nd Standing Throw
Distance (metres)		 1st 3 Step Throw
Distance (metres)		 2nd 3 Step Throw
Distance (metres)
1 3.00 2.00 4.50 2.75
2 4.50 3.25 6.00 4.00
3 6.00 4.50 7.50 5.25
4 7.50 5.75 9.00 6.50
5 9.00 7.00 10.50 7.75
6 10.50 8.25 12.00 9.00
7 12.00 9.50 13.50 10.25
8 13.50 10.75 15.00 11.50
9 15.00 12.00 16.50 12.75
10 16.00 13.00 17.50 14.00
11 17.00 14.00 18.50 15.25
12 18.00 15.00 19.50 16.50
13 19.00 16.00 20.50 17.75
14 20.00 16.75 21.50 18.50
15 21.00 17.50 22.50 19.25
16 22.00 18.25 23.50 20.00
17 23.00 19.00 24.50 20.75
18 24.00 19.75 25.50 21.50
19 25.00 20.50 26.75 22.25
20 26.00 21.25 28.00 23.00
21 27.00 22.00 28.75 23.75
22 28.00 22.75 29.50 24.50
23 29.00 23.50 30.25 25.25
24 30.00 24.25 31.00 26.00
25 31.00 25.00 31.75 26.75

Analysis

Analysis of the test result compares it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's upper body strength with appropriate training between each test.

Target Group

This test is suitable for throwers (e.g. javelin, discus) but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability

Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following link provides various factors influencing the results and test reliability.

Validity

Test validity refers to how the test measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made based on test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor training on the athlete's physical development.

Advantages

  • Minimal equipment required
  • Simple to set up and conduct
  • It can be conducted almost anywhere

Disadvantages

  • Specialist equipment required
  • Assistant required to administer the test

References

  1. JONES, M. (1997) Strength Conditioning with Medicine Balls. Leeds: The National Coaching Foundation

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

  • MACKENZIE, B. (2002) Medicine Ball Javelin Quadrathlon [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/medballquad.htm [Accessed