Boost Your Archery Performance with Proven Techniques
Objective 1: Archery Modus Operandi
Analysis of archery to identify key performance determinants
During the analysis of archery, some key performance determinants are looked upon consciously to improve the aim and overall performance.
- Physical: Archery requires physical fitness and strength, particularly in the upper body, core, and back muscles
Figure 1: Body muscles used during archery
As shown in Figure 1, the archer pulls the bowstring back during the draw phase of the shot by using their back muscles. Mainly the latissimus dorsi gets extended, as well as the lower trapezius muscles, which are also used. This action requires a lot of power, which is held as potential energy in the limbs of the bow. A controlled draw is possible if the rotator cuff and deltoids shoulder muscles act properly and the shoulder joint gets stabilised by these muscles. The archer must maintain control of the bowstring after it is fully pulled while aiming and releasing the arrow. Back and shoulder muscles must be contracted isometrically in order to stabilise the upper body and keep the bow pointed towards the target. These physical muscle contractions are essential to complete a proper draw and release move in archery.
- Biomechanics/Technical: Archery is a very technical sport that calls for exact movement execution. A dependable form of the bow and arrow is essential for reliable and precise shooting (Campbell et al. 2019). Proper posture of the body and proper hand-eye coordination can improve accuracy as well as higher output in the shooting. To accomplish one blast shoot or more, archers have to pair concentration with flexible physicality to gain a better output while shooting.
- Training/Competition load: Success in archery depends on regular practice and training. Archers need to build a consistent training schedule that combines physical fitness, technical skill improvement, and mental preparation.
Figure 2: Structure of different shot techniques during training
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Order AI-FREE ContentHere in this image structure of different shot technique is visualized during training session. Similar tendencies can be detected in the structure and content of qualified girls and boys athletes and highly qualified women and men athletes who are in the stages of specialized basic training. Average values of characteristics of qualified and highly qualified sportsmen are fixed in the length of arrow set angle value in the shoulder joint before and after the shot. The difference of angles in the elbow and shoulder joints and speed of shoulder movement is 83-99% from the result of more qualified sportsmen but average values are almost identical (p>0,05).
- Environmental: wind, rain, and temperature, have a huge impact on archery since the arrow travels in air space before hitting the target. Archers must develop their shooting skills in various environments and modify their equipment and technique accordingly.
- Mental factors: Particularly during competition, archery calls for mental fortitude and concentration. The oculomotor nerve is in charge of controlling the movements of the eyes. When archery, the archer uses their eyes to aim the oculomotor nerve helps in maintaining visual focus and controlling eye movements. The trigeminal nerve is in charge of sending touch and pain signals to the face. In order to maintain a constant anchor point when archery, the archer must engage their facial muscles, and the trigeminal nerve aids in providing input regarding the posture of the face and jaw. A network of nerves called the brachial plexus controls the arm muscles including the ones needed to draw the bowstring back. The muscular actions required for the shot are coordinated by these nerves. Transmission of sensory and motor messages between the brain and the body is carried out through the spinal nerves. These nerves work along with the rest of the body's muscles, from the feet to the hands, during archery to precisely execute the shot.
Implementation of muscle actions in physical quantities
Exercise can be used to train a variety of physical traits and muscle movements. The capacity of muscles to generate power in the face of opposition. Exercises like gymnastics and strength training can be used to practice this. An ability to continue engaging in physical exercise for a long time. Swimming, biking, and running are a few exercises that can be used to prepare for this. The capacity to produce energy swiftly (Jaelani et al. 2020). Hence, there can be the existence of explosive types of exercises for the implementation of this activity. Explosive exercises like plyometric, Olympic pulling, and running can be used to prepare for this. The area of a joint that can travel. Yoga and flexibility activities can be used to train this. The capacity to rapidly change direction while staying balanced. Exercises like gymnastics and agility drills can be used to prepare for this.
Identification of key sports action
Environmental factors
The arrow's trajectory may be impacted by the wind which could cause it to turn off course. Archers must be mindful of the direction and speed of the wind in order to modify their aim and technique. The capacity to coordinate the movements of various bodily parts. Exercises like martial arts and dance can be used to practice this. The capacity to keep one's balance while still or moving. Yoga, martial arts, and equilibrium drills are some activities that can be used to train this. Light circumstances make it challenging to see the target clearly while bright sunshine can assist the archer to get a clear view of the target.
Technical factors
Figure 3: IEMG values of an archer
As shown in the image this is an Electromyography (EMG) was utilized to look into the muscle activation patterns of archers while they fired arrows. During a single test session of 15 shots, including three trial shots, the activity of the medial flexor digitorum superficialis (MFDS) and medial extensor digitorum (MED) muscles was recorded. Before filming, the muscles' maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were measured. The archers were told to make a three-finger hook as needed when grasping the bowstring during the experiment in order to contract the MFDS and MED muscles as hard as possible against a steady resistance. People can increase their fitness level and meet their fitness and health objectives by adding activities that target these muscle movements and physical features into a workout routine (Nugroho and Jariono, 2023). An appropriate mode of coordination can be present after the implementation of this activity. The archer has to maintain the balance between the contractions of MED and MFDS muscles to get faster and more precise output.
Physical aspects
Figure 4: Physical aspects analysis for higher output
Here are detailed instructions about the position in archery to achieve faster and higher output from the archer. The perfect ratio between the right upper trap and the right lower trap helps in the bow-arrow balancing. The right triceps and right biceps provide a better output if these two muscles get the required extension. To achieve accuracy and consistency, balance and stability must be maintained through the right upper abdominal part during the draw and release (Hsu et al. 2019).
Outlining the evidence linking physical qualities
Enhancing the outcome of the event
Figure 5: Foot positing of an archer
The upper body mobility during the action is already mentioned in this study so lower body and proper foot placement is required to get a better result in the shooting event. Here the foot positioning is detailed in this image.
Discriminating between higher and lower-level performers
Higher-level performers frequently possess stronger upper body and core muscles, enabling them to draw bigger draw weights and maintain perfect form and technique during a shooting session. Higher-level athletes frequently possess better endurance, which enables them to keep up perfect form and technique for a longer amount of time and shoot more accurately under duress.
Protecting against possible injury
Location of injury | Types of injury | General Percentage |
Neck and back | Muscle strains, spasms, or even herniated discs. | 15.28 |
Draw arm shoulder | Rotator cuff tears, bursitis, or impingement syndrome. | 19.79 |
Bow arm shoulder | Muscle strain | 10.07 |
Draw arm elbow | medial epicondylitis, lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow | 4.17 |
Bow arm elbow | Elbow pain, Elbow stiffness | 3.13 |
Draw arm wrist | tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome | 4.51 |
Blisters and fingers | Finger inflammation, finger pain, | 17.01 |
Achilles Tendon | Tendon rupture, tendon stiffness | 4.51 |
Reference
Jaelani, E., Erdinaya, L.K. and Perbawasari, S., 2020. The religious meaning of equestrian and archery sport tourism: A phenomenological analysis. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 28(1), pp.246-256.
Kim, E.J., Kang, H.W. and Park, S.M., 2021. The effects of psychological skills training for archery players in Korea: Research synthesis using meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), p.2272.
Nugroho, A.W. and Jariono, G., 2023. Analysis of Sports Education Students Interest in Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta in Archery Sports. Kinestetik: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Jasmani, 7(1), pp.40-51.