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. 2025 Oct 22:7:1673489.
doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1673489. eCollection 2025.

The science of adapted throws: a systematic search and narrative evidence synthesis

Exal Garcia-Carrillo  1   2 , Cristian Alexis Lasso-Quilindo  3 , Luz Marina Chalapud-Narváez  4 , Antonio Castillo-Paredes  5 , Claudio Farías-Valenzuela  6 , Miguel Alarcón-Rivera  7 , Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda  8   9 , Lawrence W Judge  10
Affiliations

The science of adapted throws: a systematic search and narrative evidence synthesis

Exal Garcia-Carrillo et al. Front Sports Act Living. .

Abstract

Introduction: Paralympic throwing events have grown rapidly, yet the scientific evidence guiding technique, training and classification remains fragmented across biomechanics, physiology and psychosocial domains.

Objective: To provide an evidence-based overview of adapted throws by comprehensively examining the peer-reviewed literature.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (inception-Feb 2025) using the terms Paralympic OR adapted OR disability AND throw AND (shot OR discus OR javelin OR club). Inclusion criteria comprised: (i) Athletes with physical impairments who participate in Para Athletics throwing events, (ii) Non-disabled individuals studied in research explicitly designed to inform or understand Para Athletics throwing techniques. Data were synthesized narratively and clustered by study theme.

Results: Nineteen studies (n = 345 para athletes; 14 sport classes) met the criteria. Biomechanical analyses identified release velocity (8.3-10.0 m·s-1 in F52-F55 shot put) and optimal angles (27.5°-37°) as key performance determinants. Assistive devices improved results by 8% in F32 athletes. Significant research gaps exist for visual impairment (F11-F13), intellectual impairment (F20), and prosthesis-user classes (F61-F64).

Conclusion: While class-specific technical models are emerging, particularly for seated throwers, 38% of throwing classifications lack published research. Future studies should prioritize underrepresented classes and develop standardized assessment protocols.

Keywords: adaptive sports; biomechanical phenomena; para sport; para-athletes; paralympic athletes; sport; sports for persons with disabilities; track and field.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study selection flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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