The Impact of Draw Weight on Archers’ Posture and Injury Risk Through Motion Capture Analysis

Archery has increasingly captivated attention in its use for rehabilitation and physical education due to its adaptability for various abilities. However, this repetitive sport carries some injury risk in the shoulder, elbow, and back during the draw and release phases. While research often explores factors affecting shooting performance, limited studies have examined the interplay between gender-specific biomechanics and bow-related variables on lumbar stress and shooting mechanics. This study addresses this gap by leveraging the Xsens MVN Awinda motion capture system and JACK Siemens ergonomic software to analyze full-body movements of archers with different experience levels, bow types, and target placements. Thirteen subjects participated in this investigation, each equipped with standard gear. We analyzed their posture throughout the shooting sequence and the forces acting on their lower back. This innovative approach streamlines data collection and eliminates the need for extensive prototyping. Our findings highlight natural biomechanical adaptations between males and females when using bows of varying draw weights. Males generally exhibited greater consistency and stability, while females showed increased variability, particularly with heavier bows. This research establishes a foundation for ergonomic and reproducible archery techniques, enabling individualized training and performance optimization strategies.