THROWING BODY MECHANICS AND WELL-BEING AMONG DISCUS THROWING STUDENTS

This study investigated body mechanics, psychological well-being, and discus throw performance of 154 university students enrolled in a Physical Education (PE) course at a university in China during the first semester of AY 2023–2024. A nonrandomized selection process was employed to ensure that participants met predetermined criteria, including enrollment in a PE course involving discus throwing, absence of health conditions, and a minimum trial throw of 20 meters. The majority of participants were male, aged between 18 and 21 years, and comprised sophomores from various schools within the university. A descriptive analysis of students’ throwing body mechanics revealed a proficient performance level based on the assessed indicators: holding the discus (advanced), approach (proficient), throwing (proficient), and follow-through motion (proficient). Students exhibited moderate agreement with statements related to psychological well-being dimensions, indicating room for improvement. The discus throws performance of students demonstrated good performance but with notable variability among individual performances. A correlational analysis revealed significant associations between throwing body mechanics and discus throw performance, psychological well-being, and discus throw performance, and throwing body mechanics and psychological well-being. These findings underscore the importance of holistic approaches to student development, emphasizing both physical and psychological aspects. Targeted interventions aimed at enhancing throwing techniques and promoting psychological well-being could optimize discus throw performance and overall student well-being. This study provides valuable insights for educators and practitioners seeking to optimize athletic performance and holistic student development in university settings.