After 2 years, javelin throwers finally get KTG
strap: Training equipment betters throwing strength; Tokyo-bound athletes to miss out on benefits
Tribune News Service
Patiala, June 1
After over two years, elite Indian javelin throwers now have two special machines to build on their throwing strength. The Kraft Training Gerat (KTG) — a training aid first introduced in Germany (former GDR) in the 1980s — has been installed at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala.
With this, India has become the world’s third nation, after Germany and China, who could now reap benefits from this strength-building machine, especially meant for javelin throwers. Though the machine, experts said, will definitely prove a shot in the arm for Indian throwers, unfortunately, it will be of no help to the Olympics-bound throwers, including Neeraj Chopra and Shivpal Singh.
Neeraj has already left for France for a training-cum-competition stint ahead of the Olympics, while Shivpal is in his competitive phase, likely to participate in the Indian Grand Prix-4 scheduled for June 15. Moreover, the experts in the sports sciences believe strength-building, even game-specific, is done during the off-season time — popularly known as the first and second preparatory phase of any training cycle.
One of the Olympics-bound javelin throwers, on condition of anonymity, said, “We wouldn’t be able to make use of it for the current Olympics preparations. Two years ago, a coach had said ‘we will get these machines soon’. However, it will be of great help for future competitions.”
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in a press statement, on Friday, said, “From early 2020, the federation has been making a continuous effort to procure this equipment from China, but the pandemic delayed the process.”
Coincidentally, German biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz and coach Uwe Honn, who are currently assisting Indian javelin throwers, have already been associated with this machine. Dr Klaus was part of the development team of KTG, while Hohn was one of the first athletes to use it when first introduced in the 1980s in Germany.
“Higher releasing speed is one of the key factors to hurl the javelin farther. It is largely dependant on javelin-specific power. And this machine is best for developing that which lifting the weights can’t do,” Dr Klaus said. He explained how it happens. “Because, on this machine, you can work against the resistance (load) maintaining your specific movement structure of javelin unlike lifting weight. Athletes must accelerate weights, throw heavy stuff and you can do it on such machines only.”
The equipment is only suited for senior athletes, the doctor believes. According to him, young athletes might derive more harm than good training on it. “Mind you, it is not for young athletes. It is only for senior athletes who have already consolidated their techniques. It is for the training of elite athletes only under the supervision of a proper coach,” he told.
One Indian sports scientist said, “In the machine, one could fix the load dynamics and angle of throwing as per the schedule and individual requirement. The machine is digitalised and could give real-time feedback to the athlete.”
Meanwhile, Radhakrishnan Nair, chief national coach, said, “It will be beneficial for the Olympics preparation, but more for throwers in the future competitions.”
