Technical performance variations in elite Olympic recurve archers

Shafizadeh, Mohsen (2024). Technical performance variations in elite Olympic recurve archers. SHU Research Data Archive (SHURDA). http://doi.org/10.17032/shu-0000000274

Summary

This study analysed the shot cycle of elite Olympic recurve archers in major tournaments to understand how they exploit movement variability to achieve the same performance outcomes. Participants were 30 top World-ranked archers (15 men and 15 women) who competed in different World Cup series in 2023. A video notational analysis system was designed, based on the shot cycle (stance, bow raise, loading, full draw, anchor, release and follow-through), to assess technical variability in the elite archers. For each archer, 18 shots were selected from analysis of performance in individual or team competitions. Results showed that the elite archers used different forms in each phase of the shot cycle. Findings also revealed that there were two styles of Olympic recurve archery in the sample of elite performers; some displayed a common style and some a more complex style. The two styles were mainly different in movement complexity when raising the bow, loading and bow arm follow-through. In conclusion, the designed notational analysis system in recurve archery can be used by coaches and performance analysts for the skill adaptation of young archers in their development pathway. The existing technical variability in the elite archers can justify our definition of the ideal/optimal performance in this sport and direct towards skill adaptations based on individual, environmental and task constraints.

Keywords:

archery, notational analysis, performance adaptations, constraints, skill adaptation

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