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Vol. 14 №3 (2026)

Article

FEATURES OF SKELETAL MUSCLE CONTROL IN DIFFERENT QUALIFICATIONS ARCHERS (1.12 Mb, pdf) Read
Authors:
Pukhov Aleksandr Mikhailovich
Mikhailov Maxim Olegovich
Keywords:
archery
archers
recurve bow
electromyography
shot phases
precision motion
Annotation:

The aim of this study was to identify the features of electromyographic activity of the bilateral trapezius muscles in archers of different skill levels during archery shots, maximum voluntary contraction and voluntary muscle control.

Methods and organization. The study involved five highly skilled and six novice archers. The amplitude of the electromyogram (EMG) of the upper and lower portions of the trapezius muscles was analyzed during archery shots, during maximum voluntary contraction and during voluntary control of muscle tension.

The main results. During the "drawing" phase, highly skilled athletes exhibited higher EMG activity in all portions of the trapezius muscles compared to novices. During the "aiming" phase, skilled athletes showed significantly higher activity in the lower portions, whereas novices redistributed the load to the upper portions. During the "follow-through" phase, the masters of sport maintained muscle tension in the recorded muscles, in contrast to novice athletes, who showed a significant decrease in EMG activity. Skilled archers consistently demonstrated significantly greater maximum voluntary contraction with lower activity in the upper portions of the trapezius muscles. The key distinguishing feature of highly skilled archers is a well-developed ability for voluntary isolation of muscle tension, whereas novices exhibited pronounced irradiation of excitation involving non-target muscles.

Conclusion. The improvement of skill in archery is associated not only with an increase in specific strength preparedness but also with a qualitative restructuring of neuromuscular control, a rational distribution of load between muscle groups during the archery shot, and the ability to locally tense the target muscles.

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