title: Performance of elite seated discus throwers in F30s classes: part II: does feet positioning matter?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on the relationship between performance and design of the throwing frame have been limited. Part I provided only a description of the whole body positioning.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The specific objectives were (a) to benchmark feet positioning characteristics (i.e. position, spacing and orientation) and (b) to investigate the relationship between performance and these characteristics for male seated discus throwers in F30s classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 48 attempts performed by 12 stationary discus throwers in F33 and F34 classes during seated discus throwing event of 2002 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships were analysed in this study. Feet positioning was characterised by tridimensional data of the front and back feet position as well as spacing and orientation corresponding to the distance between and the angle made by both feet, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 4 of 30 feet positioning characteristics presented a coefficient correlation superior to 0.5, including the feet spacing on mediolateral and anteroposterior axes in F34 class as well as the back foot position and feet spacing on mediolateral axis in F33 class.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided key information for a better understanding of the interaction between throwing technique of elite seated throwers and their throwing frame.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study aimed at improving the understanding of the relationship between performance and the design of the throwing frame of seated discus throwers, with a particular emphasis on the importance of feet positioning. This knowledge is particularly important in the current debate around general principles underlying design of throwing frame and classification of athletes with a disability, including those with lower limb amputation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada. laurentfrossard@yahoo.com.au
authors.forename: Laurent A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Frossard
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smeathers
mesh_terms: D000674:Amputees / Q000145:classification*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D056352:Athletes / Q000145:classification*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D014142:Track and Field / Q000145:classification*
keywords: Biomechanics; athletes with disability; classification; feet position; performance; seated throw; throwing technique