Physical characteristics of the pulling and stabilization arm in archers, examination of posture and injury risk

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 4, 217 - 223, 31.08.2025

Pakize Nurgül Sarı , Ramazan Çevik , Tamer Çankaya

https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1652566

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the physical characteristics, posture, and musculoskeletal problems of the stabilization and pulling arms in archers. Thirteen licensed athletes aged 11–18 years, each with at least two years of experience, were assessed for muscle shortness, flexibility, scapular dyskinesia, muscle strength, posture, and musculoskeletal complaints. Significant differences were found between the pulling and stabilization arms in shoulder flexion, abduction, adduction, elbow flexion, and various grip strengths (p<0.05), as well as in shoulder and hip anterior tilt (p<0.05). Musculoskeletal pain was most frequently reported in the back and lower back, followed by the knee and neck. These findings suggest that archers may develop postural alignment issues, particularly on the pulling arm side, and highlight the importance of archery-specific postural exercise programs for injury prevention.

Keywords

Archery , muscle shortness , musculoskeletal problems , posture strength

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (2023/153) and it was carried out in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association also known as a declaration of Helsinki.

Supporting Institution

-

Project Number

-

Thanks

-

References

• Alonso, J., McHugh, M.P., Mullaney, M.J., & Tyler, T.F. (2009). Effect of hamstring flexibility on isometric knee flexion angle-torque relationship. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 19(2), 252-256. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00792.x
• Brockett, C.L., Morgan, D.L., & Proske, U. (2004). Predicting hamstring strain injury in elite athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 36(3), 379-387. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000117165.75832.05
• Demiroğlu, M., Özkan, K., Gür, V., Öztürk, K., Ozkut, A., & Aykut, S. (2017). Effect of hand dominance in grip and pinch strength and reference values in adults. Medical Journal of Bakirkoy, 13, 184-189. doi:10.5350/BTDMJB.20170517064703
• Ertan, H., Kentel, B., Tümer, S.T., & Korkusuz, F. (2003). Activation patterns in forearm muscles during archery shooting. Hum Mov Sci, 22(1), 37-45. doi:10.1016/s0167-9457(02)00176-8
• Ertan, H. (2009). Muscle activation patterns during archery shooting phases. Biology of Sport, 26(1), 15–23. Hopkins, B.B., Vehrs, P.R., Fellingham, G.W., George, J.D., Hager, R., & Ridge, S.T. (2019). Validity and reliability of standing posture measurements using a mobile application. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 42(2), 132-140. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.02.003
• Kikuchi, N., & Nakazawa, K. (2016a). The influence of asymmetrical upper limb use on muscle cross-sectional area and muscle strength in archers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(8), 741–746. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2015.1064153 Kikuchi, N., & Nakazawa, K. (2016b). Active control of scapular orientation and upper-limb muscle activity during shoulder abduction. Journal of Biomechanics, 49(1), 92–98.
• Kim, J. H., Kwon, Y. J., & Kwon, M. S. (2016). The relationship between balance control and performance level in archery. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(3), 924–928.
• Ko, B. H., Lee, S. Y., & Shim, J. H. (2010). Time control strategies in aiming movements: A comparison between elite archers and controls. Neurosci Lett, 469(3), 298–302.
• Landers, D. M., Han, M., Salazar, W., Petruzzello, S. J., Kubitz, K., & Gannon, T. L. (1994). Anxiety and performance in elite archers: A test of the processing efficiency theory. Int J Sport Psychol, 25, 123–139.
• Lopes, L., Póvoas, S., Mota, J., Okely, A. D., Coelho-E-Silva, M. J., Cliff, D. P., Lopes, V. P., & Santos, R. (2017). Flexibility is associated with motor competence in schoolchildren. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 27(12), 1806-1813. doi:10.1111/sms.12789
• Ludewig, P. M., & Reynolds, J. F. (2009). The association of scapular kinematics and glenohumeral joint pathologies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 39(2):90-104. doi:10.2519/jospt.2009.2808
• Mann, D. L., & Littke, N. (1989). Biomechanics of the archery performance: A preliminary study. Can J Sport Sci, 7(3), 293–300.
• Niestroj, C.K., Schöffl, V., & Küpper, T. (2018). Acute and overuse injuries in elite archers. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 58(7-8), 1063-1070. doi:10.23736/s0022-4707.17.07828-8
• Nishizono, H., Shibayama, H., Izuta, T., & Saito, K. (2008). Analysis of archery shooting techniques by means of electromyography. In: L. Tsarouchas, J. Terauds, B. A. Gowitzke, L. E. Holt (Editors), ISBS - Conference Proceedings Archive: 5 International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports (1987).
• Sanchis-Moysi, J., Dorado, C., Serrano-Sanchez, J. A., & Calbet, J. A. L. (2010b). Muscle hypertrophy in prepubescent tennis players: a segmental MRI study. Br J Sports Med, 44(5), 389–394.
• Sanchis-Moysi, J., Dorado, C., Serrano-Sánchez, J. A., & Calbet, J. A. L. (2010a). Muscle hypertrophy in prepubescent tennis players: A comparative MRI study. Br J Sports Med, 44(7), 504–509. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.050112
• Sanchis-Moysi, J., Idoate, F., Dorado, C., & Calbet, J. A. L. (2004). Muscle hypertrophy in professional archers: A magnetic resonance imaging study. J Strength Cond Res, 18(4), 725–730. doi: 10.1519/14483.1
• Sarro, K.J., Viana, T.C., & De Barros, R.M.L. (2021). Relationship between bow stability and postural control in recurve archery. Eur J Sport Sci, 21(4), 515-520. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1754471
• Sterkowicz-Przybycień, K., Miarka, B., & Fukuda, D. H. (2017). Sex differences and the effects of modified combat regulations on endurance in judo: Implications for assessment and training. J Strength Cond Res, 31(3), 817–825. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001597
• Szucs, K.A., Brown, E.V.D. (2018). Rater reliability and construct validity of a mobile application for posture analysis. J Phys Ther Sci, 30(1), 31-36. doi:10.1589/jpts.30.31