Comparative Analysis of Performance Variables Performance Predictors Shoulder Risk Factors In Elite And Novice Archers And Impact of Intervention In Novice Archers

Abstract

In archery,importance of postural stability, hand grip strength, eye-hand coordinationand scapular stability in supreme.No studies have explored the relationship between these factors and sport performances or studied the effects of training programs in archery.This study aimed to compare and identify performance enhancing factors in elite and novice archers, identify intrinsic risk factors for shoulder pain,andassess the effect of 6-week comprehensive exercise protocol for novice archers. Methods:50Elite archers competed at district level and above,50 novice archers with a minimum of 1year of experience aged between 15 to 25years participated in study.They were assessed for postural stability, hand grip strength, scapular stabilityandfine motor skills.Clinical examinations were performed in archers with archery-related shoulder pain.The impact of 6-week exercise protocol was seen in novice archers.Results-The findings showed that elite archers had significantly better postural stability on BESS score,Also,hand grip strength of both draw and bow arm, fine motor skills,greater presence of obvious and subtle scapular dyskinesis in both draw and bow arm compared to novices.Elite archers showed statistically significant correlation of bow and draw arm hand grip strength, scapular dyskinesis and postural stability with sport performance than novices.Pectoralis minor tightness, greater strength of upper trapezius muscle, scapular dyskinesis and presence of trigger point were identified as risk factors for shoulder pain.The 6-week exercise protocol improved shooting accuracy in exercise group of novice archers.Conclusion-The present study implies that scapular stability,postural stability,hand grip strength andfine motor skill are crucial performance variables and need to be assessed in each archer.Periodic assessment of shoulder risk factors should be an integral part of routine assessment.Thedevelopedmultidimensional protocol effectively improved shooting accuracy.Keywords-Archery,Variables,ShoulderRiskFactors,Exercise, sport performance