Shooting Dynamics in Archery

M. Emre Erkek and Cevdet Tinazci

School of Physical Education and Sport, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus

Abstract— The purpose of this study is to investigate the the other arm exerts a dynamic pulling of the bowstring
relationships between physiological and mechanical dynamics from the beginning of the drawing phase, until the release is
during arrow releasing in archery with the quality of the arrow
dynamically executed (leroyer, et al., 1993). The bowstring
shot. Four elite female archers were involved in this study.
Mechanical clicker reaction time (MCRT), Integrated is released when an auditory stimulus is received from the
Electromygraphic % (IEMG %) activity of hand flexor and clicker. A coach or the archer can standardize the equipment
extensor, deltoid and trapezius were recorded at a sampling factors by having exactly the same size and weight arrows
frequency of 600 Hz together with a pulse synchronized with and using a device called “clicker” to fix the drawing weight
the clicker snap, aiming behaviors, aiming time, total drawing of the bow constant. A standard drawing length and release
time (TDT) and full drawing time (FDT) calculated by the first can be obtained using this device (Ertan et al., 2003; Ertan et
act in trapezius, Postural sway, Aiming sway and body weight
shifts, changes in the posture of archers toward sideways (DX)
al., 2005). After release the position of the arrow on the
and front-back (DY), decrease in the body weight (DBW) on target determines the performance.
legs recorded at a same sampling rate by the help of the force There are not many studies related with archery analyzing
plates for every arrow of archers. All the measurement the reaction of an archer to the fall of the clicker. The effect
methods were synchronized with each other referenced to the of reaction time on scoring points in archery can be one of
clicker fall. Subjects completed 30 arrows on a 18m range the major research topics with the main idea is to search for
constructed indoors. Statistical Analysis was actualized by
any relationship between the time of reaction and the scored
SPSS 12.0 package programme.
When the results are examined it has been found that points on the target in archery. Ertan (1996) conducted a
performance of female archers, varies according to flexor research on archers to demonstrate the effect of clicker
muscle one second prior to clicker falls and that the reaction time on scoring points. He included 8 female and 8
performance increases when the muscular activity of flexor male high level archers’ in his study. Analysis showed that
and deltoid muscles decreases. It has been stated that archers there was no correlation between the clicker reaction time
have better shots as the postural sways towards right-left
and the scored points in both group of archers.
within the period of holding bow tight and as the drawing time
decrease. In conclusion, archers MCRT is shorter for high Thus, the aims of this study are to examine some
performance. As muscle activity decreases performance physiological and mechanical dynamics in shooting,
increases. Aiming sways on the target towards right-left, up simultaneously with reference to clicker fall and analysis the
and down and postural sways during releasing towards changes according to the scores.
sideways and anterioposterior affect performance. Drawing
time may change with performance and shift in the body-
weight especially after releasing determines performance. II. METHODS
Keywords— Muscular analysis, centre of pressure, reaction A. Subjects
time, Electromyography (EMG).
Four elite female archers were involved in this study.
They had represented or were representing Turkey in world
I. INTRODUCTION and/or national events. Archer’s ages, body weights, heights
and drawing weights are presented in table 1. All archers
Shooting in archery can be summarized as drawing the were right-handed and recurve bows were used in this study.
bow, aiming and shooting (McKinney & McKinney, 1997).
Archery can be described as a comparatively static sport Table 1 Physical Characteristics of female Archers (n=4)
requiring strength and endurance of the upper body, in
Age (year) 25.7 (3.7)
particular the forearm and shoulder girdle (Mann & Littke, Body Weight (kg) 54.0 (2.8)
1989). An archer pushes the bow with an extended arm, Height (cm) 168 (3.5)
which is statically held in the direction of the target, while Drawing weight (kg) 16.9 (0.1)

C.T. Lim and J.C.H. Goh (Eds.): WCB 2010, IFMBE Proceedings 31, pp. 151–154, 2010.
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152 M. Emre Erkek and C. Tinazci

B. Muscle Activity Recording sender unit (which was attached on the bow) was still on the
target more than 0.1s.
To measure electrical activity in the forearm muscles (Flexor
digitorum superficialis, extensor digitorum), deltoid and E. Mechanical Clicker Reaction Timer
trapezius by means of EMG (surface EMG techniques) (Clarys,
1990; Enoka, 1994; Hennessy and Parker, 1990; Kamen and Prosport TMRESC 3100 archery chronometer was used,
Candwell, 1996; Martin, Siler and Hoffmann, 1990; Merletti which has been designed to measure clicker mechanical
and Conte, 1997), TMREMG Analog Multiplexed cable reaction time of archer (MCRT). The device can make the
Telemetry 8 channel device was used. The electrodes were measurement with 0.001 second sensitivity and 0.01%error
placed at the geometrical centre as stated in the literature (Ertan, 2000). The reliability and validity of archery
(Enoka, 1994). Prior to the shootings the maximum voluntary chronometer is found high (r=0.98, p<0.05) (Ertan, 2005).
contraction (MVC) of the M. extensor digitorum (opposite
direction), trapezius, posterior deltoid and M. flexor digitorum F. Statistical Analysis
superficialis of each subject were determined on the basis of
Statistical Analysis was actualized by SPSS 12.0 package
EMGs. EMG amplitudes were normalized with respect to
programme using correlation coefficient, ANOVA and T-test.
MVC, i.e. they were expressed as percentages of MVC (%100)
Also Bonferroni adjustment was conducted to all ANOVA
(Clarys, 1990). In all circumstances, the M. trapezius showed
results. The results were reported as means±standart
the earliest contraction both in the draw-arm (as stated by the
deviation. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.
Clarys et al. 1990), so during the analysis of muscle activities,
the first act of trapezius muscle until the clicker falls was
named total drawing time (TDT) and when the trapezius III. RESULTS
muscle reach max %IEMG act until the clicker falls was named
full drawing times (FDT). Comparison and correlation of female archers IEMG%
muscle activities and MCRT one second before and after the
C. Prosport Force Plates fall of the clicker have been presented as poor (8), good (9)
and very good (10) scores as is shown in Table 2.
All force data were recorded using Prosport Force
platforms. The centre of the target was placed directly in line Table 2 Muscle activities one second prior to and after the clicker falls and
with the midline drawn parallel to the long axis of the platform MCRT values of archers
so that the Ax direction represented lateral movements (DX)
8 9 10 F n=108
and the Ay direction represented anterior posterior movements Score n=34 n=35 n=39 r
(DY) (Keast and Elliott, 1990; Berme, 1990; Bartlet, 1997). MCRT 143.4 142.5 142.3 .05 -.029
The position of the feet was then marked and they were told to (s) (18.6) (15.8) (14.4)
ensure that this position was kept throughout the recording F1 % 85.6 84.4 80.0 5.4* -.292*
session (Stuart and Atha, 1990; Keast and Elliot, 1990; Levin, (6.9) (7.3) (8.8)
F2 % 33.1 (7.4) 34.9 (7.8) 32.0 (5.9) 1.5 -.069
Mizrahi and Shoham, 1998). Postural sway differences of
D1 % 87.0 (6.0) 84.0 (6.0) 85.4 (7.1) 1.1 -.079
archers’ were examined as the body mass changes between the D2 % 31.6 (3.2) 30.6 (4.2) 29.7 (3.6) 2.4 -.211*
total drawing until the clicker falls represented as DX for side T1 % 74.3 73.3 70.0 (8.8) 1.8 -.178
to side sway (parallel to the target face) and DY for anterior- (10.7) (10.3)
posterior (sway perpendicular to the target face) were 70.6 74.8 (9.1) 73.2 (9.4) 1.0 .082
recorded. Body mass differences on both legs especially after 2
T % (16.8)
the clicker fall (DBW) were also calculated. Force plates E1 % 83.8 (8.0) 81.3 (7.7) 82.3 (8.4) .86 -.072
reliability and validity was high (r=0.98). E2 % 58.9 60.0 54.5 2.1 -.151
(15.1) (10.1) (10.7)
%: MVC
D. Aiming Time and Sways F(flexor), D(deltoid), T(trapezius), E(extensor)1: One second before
clicker fall
The aim process can be recalled in real time and be F(flexor), D(deltoid), T(trapezius), E(extensor)2: One second after
analyzed. Rika Home Trainer mainly aims to clicker fall
*P<0,05
measure/observe; movements of archers during aiming
towards right-left (Rx) and up-down (Ry) on the target and
the time (Rt) on the target. MVC mean F1 was significantly lower in the very good
Before each shooting, it was calibrated as stated in the score (10) than in good and poor scores and had significantly
manual (Rika, 2002). The system start recording, when the negative correlation with the other scores (see Table 2).

IFMBE Proceedings Vol. 31

Table 3 Female archers’ postural sway differences between the total BML (body mass left leg before release), BMR (body mass left leg
drawing time and until the clicker falls are represented as DX for left to before release) 1
right and DY for anterior-posterior and velocity, aiming sways (Rx, Ry) BML (body mass left leg after release), BMR (body mass left leg after
and time (Rt) during targeting release) 2
TDX: Displacement on target to left to right, TDY: Displacement on
Score 8 9 10 F n=108 target to up and down,
n=34 n=35 n=39 r %: MVC
DX (mm) 31.7 (1.0) 12.5 (4.5) 16.7 (1.0) 2.8 .224* *P<0,05
DY (mm) 26.2 (1.5) 5.1 (1.3) 4.5 (0.4) 1.0 .140
XV (mm/s) 5.0 (0.1) 2.3 (0.8) 4.3 (0.2) 2.2 .198*
Table 6 Overview of significance differences between scores for each
YV (mm/s) 4.7 (0.2) 1.1 (0.2) 1.5 (0.1) 1.2 .150 archer
Rx (cm) 13.7 (2.7) 12.6 (3.1) 12.7 (2.7) 1.4 -.129
Ry (cm) 12.0 (2.3) 11.6 (2.5) 11.3 (2.5) 0.6 -.108 8 9 10 F A r
Rt (s) 3.6 (0.6) 3.7 (0.6) 3.7 (0.9) 0.07 .022 Score
*P< 0,05 MCRT 159.8 146.0 140.4 2.9 1 -.455*
(s) (22.6) (10.7) (12.3)
32.1 (3.8) 30.4 (3.4) 27.2 (2.5) 4.0* 1 -.519*
Mean DX, were shorter and XV was slower than in good 1
D %
and very good scores, also significantly correlated with scores.
F1 % 87.0 (4.7) 82.9 (3.6) 80.2 (3.9) 6.1* 2 .557*
Table 4 shows Archers total drawing time (TDT), full T1 % 73.2 (6.4) 69.7 (5.6) 64.2 (5.5) 4.7* 2 .507*
drawing time and decrease in body weight after the clicker E1 % 86.9 (7.4) 77.7 (6.7) 76.1 (7.8) 6.9* 2 .549*
falls values of poor (8), good (9) and very good (10) score E1 % 70.3 (5.3) 82.8 (6.2) 77.8 (7.0) 5.8* 3 .167
comparison and correlation. 88.9 (5.0) 85.4 (5.2) 82.1 (7.3) 2.6 4 .419*
F1 %
DY 7.0 (0.9) 10.0 (0.9) 4.3 (1.7) 3.0* 2 .286
Table 4 Female archer’s total drawing time (TDT), full drawing time (mm)
(FDT) and amount of decrease in body weight after release (DBW) DX( 19.3 (6.2) 13.9 12.4 (6.4) 2.2 4 .380*
Score 8 9 10 F n=108 mm) (10.3)
n=34 n=35 n=39 r TDT 6.6 (1.3) 5.4 (1.1) 5.3 (0.7) 3.8* 2 .433*
TDT (s) 5.6 (1.4) 5.0 (1.0) 4.8 (0.9) 5.0* -.280* (s)
FDT (s) 2.6 (1.1) 2.4 (0.6) 2.3 (0.6) 1.6 -.173 FDT 1.6 (0.1) 2.1 (0.3) 2.0 (0.2) 4.3* 3 .329*
DBW (kg) 7.0 (1.3) 6.8 (1.2) 6.4 (1.2) 1.8 -.186 (s)
*P<0,05 FDT 2.2 (0.4) 2.1 (0.3) 1.9 (0.2) 2.5 4 .397*
(s)
FDT(s) 2.2 (0.4) 2.6 (0.7) 3.1 (0.8) 3.2* 1 .484*
Archers’ aiming sways as they enter the target until the TDX 15.8 (2.7) 13.7 (4.8) 12.0 (2.2) 3.9* 4 .491*
release, body weight shifts on left and right leg after the (cm)
release and the IEMG% values one second prior to and after MCRT: Mechanical clicker reaction time
%: MVC
the release were shown in table 5. A: Archer
Significant differences between scores for each archer are *P<0,05
given in Table 6.

Table 5 Archers’, aiming sways as they enter the target until the release IV. DISCUSSION
and body mass shifts on left and right leg before and after the release and
the IEMG% values one second prior to and after the release When the results are examined, varies according to flexor
n=108 t muscle one second prior to clicker falls and that the
TDX(cm) 13.0 (2.8) 4.5* performance increases when the muscular activity of flexor
TDY(cm) 11.6 (2.5)
and deltoid muscles decreases. Also, Activity of deltoid
BML1(kg) 39.0 (2.5) 47.8*
BMR1(kg) 32.6 (2.2) muscle one second after the clicker falls has decreased when
BML2(kg) 17.8 (2.2) 4.1* performance increased (see Table 2). These findings were
BMR2(kg) 17.5 (2.3) supported by the results of the study of Hennessy and Parker
F1 % 83.2 (8.1) 48.2* (1990). Deltoid muscle activity (Martin et al. 1990)
F2 % 33.3 (7.1) illustrated that the releasing mainly occurs on hand by hand
D1 % 85.4 (7.9) 78.6*
D2 % 30.6 (3.8)
muscles. But when we analyze the findings as an individual,
T1 % 72.4 (10.0) -.274 2nd archer’s Flexor, trapezius and extensor muscle activities
T2 % 72.9 (12.2) a second prior to the clicker falls have decreased when
E1 % 82.5 (8.1) 15.8* performance increased. But in the 3rd archer extensor
E2 % 57.7 (12.25) muscles of the releasing hand a second prior to clicker falls

IFMBE Proceedings Vol. 31

have become more active when the performance increased. sway to better shoot an arrow, when we analyzed the archers
4th archer’s flexor activities a second prior to clicker falls both as a group and individual, in case there was so much
decrease, but performance increases (see Table 3). Ertan et variable that affected performance simultaneously or
al. (2003) revealed that after the fall of the clicker, all accordingly in archery.
archers and non-archers presented an active contraction of
the M. Extensor digitorum and all archers showed a gradual
relaxation of the M. Flexor digitorum superficialis. REFERENCES
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In conclusion, it was established that archers develop a

IFMBE Proceedings Vol. 31