What are common javelin injuries and what exercises do javelin throwers routinely do to keep the shoulder and pectoralis minor healthy ?
Groin injuries are very common
The javelin can be tough on your body. It’s a game of inches and all it takes is not hitting it clean one time to mess you up pretty good. Your body really needs to be in solid shape . Javelin GPP)before really hitting throws from a full approach. Lots of injuries to elbows, shoulders, groins, backs. However, it’s the most fun event in track and field and nothing does feel better when you hit it good.
Spend lots of time stretching, various ball throws, basic shoulder rotation exercises with weights, and hitting the javelin clean. Lots of short runs and easy throws will get you into throwing shape and keep you healthy
Most of the jav throwers I’ve talked with seem to be battling elbow and low back injuries. Shoulder, groin, abs/obliques and ACL’s round out the list.
The oddest jav injury I witnessed this year was a burst appendix. I guess the athlete felt sick that morning but thought it was just the flu, it was the last meet of the season so he tried to “tough it out”. Part way through the comp took a throw and went down to the runway in agony. Medics came and scooped him right off the track into the ambulance and drove straight to the ER.
LOL no BUTS here ? some scary stuff right there…
What can I do to assure my safety when doing javelin throws about once or twice a week ?
I guess internal and external rotations are a must, prone internal rotations, scapular pushups, glucosamine and chondroitin, alot of ab work, and staying flexible all over.
Should I wear a belt when throwing ?
Does it matter if I throw with a cheap or expensive javelin ? I heard there are tailwind, headwind, stiff and flexible sticks. Does it really matter ?
As you can see i’m not looking to specialize in it, just get the most of what I can with the strength I have… It’s not like there are good coaches for it around either.
Staying safe for the 100m is top priority…
- Don’t throw Javelin
- If you throw Javelin technique is king and don’t throw hard
- If you ignore above don’t come crying to me.
Javelin is among the toughest events on in T&F.
In the Javelin you run in fast, do cross overs fast block and throw the Javelin fast and hard, so you are working from the ankles to wrist hard.
I found it easier and less painful to run and headbutt brickwalls.
PS I love Javelin, I was a wanna be Javelin thrower and threw hammers.
LOL nice commercial for the sport 
Throwing javelin without a coach and likely without any sort of throwing sport background (baseball, qb in football, etc.) doesn’t sound like a good idea at all.
I guess you are right… There is some coach around, but I’m not so sure he studied the jav, he’s a 400m guy.
I’ll go talk to him…
Have you considered discus throwing? I found it to be extremely pleasant and enjoy every instant of it.
Just take it slow. Along with all the exercises that you mentioned you must build up a huge volume of easy throws with various weighted balls and javelins. Finding the groove and your technique. Let the pre stretch in your belly and shoulder throw the javelin.
As far as javelins go here is the deal
The ratings really don’t mean much with the modern javelins. The ratings were more based on teh pre 1986 javelins where many throwers had trouble with flat throws. However, the highers the rating, the more stiff the javelin is. When hit clean the stiff javelins will go farther because they flex less. However they are not as forgiving on the body as a lesser flex javelin. Most elite javelin throwers don’t throw hard high rated carbon javs in training. Get like a 50 meter jav.
Tailwind javelins usually have a blunt tip and all things being equal will still fly farther than a headwind in a headwind if hit clean. headwind javelins have a narrower look and are a little easier to hit clean.