Application of Manual Therapy to Archers

Assessment of Upper Limb Muscle Activity and the Effect of Manual Therapy on Fatigue, Stiffness and Muscle Activity During Training

The aim of this study is to: (i) characterize the effect of repeated archery shots on the EMG parameters of certain selected upper limb muscles; and (ii) evaluate how manipulation of the initial two-second tension phase, in particular involving muscle stretching, affects these EMG parameters after repeated shots.

EMG measurements will be collected for selected muscles in the shoulder joint and forearm, at points: initially at the beginning, after the athletes have performed 50 and another 50 archery shots, and finally after undergoing manual therapy. The main phase of muscle testing will take place in the Aiming phase.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Actively training as an archer at least twice a week for six months;
• In good health, with no recent injury or illness;
• Over 18 years of age;
• Engagement in all phases of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any injury or illness present at the time of the study;
• Recent history (within six months) of upper extremity injury (shoulder, elbow, or wrist), joint pain, lower extremity joint hypermobility, or neurological/connective tissue disease.
• No training participation
• No consent for study