Author(s): HAJIMA, D., YAMAGUCHI, S., NISHIOKA, T., YOSHIKAWA, A., IKEDA, N., HASHIMOTO, Y., KUNITA, Y., YABUNO, N., AOKI, A., ISHIDA, H., HARATO, K., MURAYAMA, M., INAMI, T., Institution: KEIO UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1832

INTRODUCTION:
The takeout shot is one of the shots in curling that can substantially alter stone placement and game situations; therefore, not only accuracy but also high stone speed is required. However, the biomechanics of the delivery motion that determine stone speed have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate joint kinematics during the takeout shot and to clarify their contribution to stone speed.
METHODS:
Fifteen curlers with at least one year of curling experience (37.9 ± 14.8 years) participated in this study. Each participant performed five takeout shots on a dedicated curling ice rink. The delivery motion was recorded using a three-dimensional motion capture system, and stone speed was measured using photoelectric sensors. The trial with the highest stone speed for each participant was selected for analysis. The total range of motion and joint angular velocities during the delivery motion were calculated. Differences in total range of motion and peak angular velocity among joints were examined using a one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, and the relationships between these biomechanical variables and stone speed were investigated using multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS:
Lower-limb joints exhibited significantly greater total ranges of motion than upper-limb joints. Similarly, the lower-limb joints tended to demonstrate higher peak angular velocities compared with the upper-limb joints. In addition, the peak angular velocity of right hip extension was significantly associated with stone speed, explaining approximately 57% of the variance in stone speed.
CONCLUSION:
These findings indicate that lower-limb motion, particularly right hip extension angular velocity, contributes substantially to stone speed during the takeout shot, highlighting the importance of leg extension capability. Furthermore, the findings suggest that greater extension of the left hip is important for adopting a posture that facilitates an increase in the angular velocity of the right hip. This study provides fundamental insights into the movement characteristics of the takeout shot in curling and may contribute to the development of training strategies aimed at improving performance in competitive curling.