Abstract
Shot put throwing distances of 18 male Division I track and field athletes in the United States were compared among three wrist wrap conditions: 1) a large heavy wrist wrap, typically worn by athletes competing in the shot put event, 2) a small light wrist wrap and 3) no wrist wrap. The average and maximum throwing distances when the athletes were wearing the heavy wrist wrap (12.31 +/- 1.699(maximum); 11.92 +/- 1.627(average)) were greater than when the athletes were not wearing a wrist wrap (12.05 +/- 1.550(maximum); 11.70 +/- 1.457(average)). Performance increases exceeded criteria for the smallest worthwhile improvements in the shot put event, suggesting that heavy wrist wraps provide a competitive advantage. These results revealed previously undocumented, beneficial effects of taping and bracing on sports performance in the shot put throw.