A consideration of joint angles and joint angle variability of the upper limb in the female overarm lacrosse shot

Abstract

Very little research so far has considered the biomechanics involved in the sport of women’s lacrosse. Within this study, the basic biomechanical elements occurring in the upper limb during a lacrosse shot were examined and considered in relation to participant playing level. Five female participants undertook a series of lacrosse shots with three different sticks, two straight and one offset. Motion data was collected using CODA (frequency: 100Hz) and video capture in order to calculate joint angle and joint angle variability data. Joint speeds increased in a proximal to distal pattern across segments in all participants, suggesting a basic coordination pattern is present throughout the lacrosse shot. Elite players showed reduced variability in joint angles at the ball release point towards the end segments of the movement whilst novice players recorded higher levels of variability of release point joint angles throughout all segments. However, both groups showed an overall reduction in variability in joint angles at release as segments become more distal. Ball release times were consistently maintained across all three sticks with the most experienced participant showing the earliest ball release times. The offset stick caused a statistically significant reduction in stick release angle variability when compared to the other sticks. In conclusion, none of the theories surrounding variability are exclusively conclusive as to how variability changes with playing level. Instead, aspects of each are required to work in unison to create the pattern of variability shown.