The results of an investigation conducted by Dr. John Bloomfield and his colleagues at the University of Western Australia, however, suggest that such training does not result in an improved throwing velocity. They studied 21 elite male water polo players who were rondomly assigned to either an eight-week strength training program, or to o control group, who maintained their usual swim training program. The strength training group undertook a progressive resistance program, three times a week using a Nautilus system for the duration of the study. The emphasis of the strength training was on the muscle groups of the upper body which were involved in the water polo throwing action. Specifically, the pectoralis major and minor, latissimus dorsi, teres major, trapezius, triceps, biceps and deltoid muscle were trained. Following the eight-week program, all players were assessed during a water polo throw in which the speed of release of the boll was measured during an accurate throw. Players were required to throw at a circular target 1 m in diameter which was positioned 50 cm above water level. The thrower was positioned 6 m away from the target, and five maximum-velocity throws were analysed by high-speed cinematography. The results revealed that there was no difference in throwing velocity between either the strength-trained or control group after the eight-week intervention period. The average throwing speeds were between 16 and 17 m per second irrespective of the previous eight weeks of training.