Shooting dynamics in archery

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between physiological and mechanical dynamics during arrow releasing in archery with the quality of the arrow shot. Four elite female archers were involved in this study. Mechanical clicker reaction time (MCRT), Integrated Electromygraphic % (IEMG %) activity of hand flexor and extensor, deltoid and trapezius were recorded at a sampling frequency of 600 Hz together with a pulse synchronized with the clicker snap, aiming behaviors, aiming time, total drawing time (TDT) and full drawing time (FDT) calculated by the first act in trapezius, Postural sway, Aiming sway and body weight shifts, changes in the posture of archers toward sideways (DX) and front-back (DY), decrease in the body weight (DBW) on legs recorded at a same sampling rate by the help of the force plates for every arrow of archers. All the measurement methods were synchronized with each other referenced to the clicker fall. Subjects completed 30 arrows on a 18m range constructed indoors. Statistical Analysis was actualized by SPSS 12.0 package programme. When the results are examined it has been found that performance of female archers, varies according to flexor muscle one second prior to clicker falls and that the performance increases when the muscular activity of flexor and deltoid muscles decreases. It has been stated that archers have better shots as the postural sways towards right-left within the period of holding bow tight and as the drawing time decrease. In conclusion, archers MCRT is shorter for high performance. As muscle activity decreases performance increases. Aiming sways on the target towards right-left, up and down and postural sways during releasing towards sideways and anterioposterior affect performance. Drawing time may change with performance and shift in the bodyweight especially after releasing determines performance. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.