Muscle Strength in Male Youth that Play Archery During Leisure Time Activity

Archery involves repetitive isometric contraction of muscles, however, there is a paucity in scientific evidence that describes the muscle strength in those receiving archery training. This study aimed to determine the differences in maximum force in selected groups of muscles between healthy youth with regular archery training and those without any background of resistance training. A case-control study design was adopted to compare between youth with archery training as subjects (n = 40) and youth without any background of resistance training as control (n = 78). Both groups were matched based on age, race, education level, income, time spent for weekly physical activities, and body composition. Muscle strength was assessed via JTech Commander PowerTrack MMT and the forces were recorded in Pound-force (lbf). Subjects with archery training showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean of muscle strength’s maximal force as compared to the control group in shoulder motions such as higher abduction strength (11%), adduction strength (15%), flexion and extension strength (19%). Elbow motion showed significantly higher extension strength by 17%. Similarly, higher lower body muscle strength was also found in subjects with archery training as compared to subjects in the control group in their hip motions for abduction (16%) and adduction (21%) and knee motion for extension (25%). Training in archery has a significant impact on muscle strength of both upper and lower body as shown in these youths. Therefore, serious attention should be given archery and be further promoted as a physical activity in the enhancement of health. © 2020, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.