Medical Science
Volume 24, Issue 105, September - October, 2020
Comparative analysis of postural stability in elite and novice recurve archers
Pranita Ganjave1♦, Ajit Dabholkar2
1Department of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, School of Physiotherapy, D.Y. Patil deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai-400706,
India.
2Department of Sport Physiotherapy, School of Physiotherapy, D.Y. Patil deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai-400706, India.
♦Corresponding author
Dr. Pranita Ganjave, Ph. D Scholar,
Department of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, School of Physiotherapy,
D.Y. Patil deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai-400706,
India;
Email: pranita.ganjave@dypatil.edu
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Archery is a static game which needs extreme precision, strength and endurance of upper body. Besides this, postural
stability is another crucial factor determining the outcome of every shot. An archer’s skill is the ability to shoot the arrow in a specific
time, to achieve this athlete needs to avoid unnecessary sway which can reduce stability. It has been seen that a high level of
postural stability increases the aiming stability of the archers. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the postural
stability in Elite and Novice Recurve Archers. Method: 50 Novice and 50 Elite Recurve archers between the age group of 15-25 years
were recruited. Postural stability was assessed using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) on the non-dominant leg. 3 stances
(tandem, double & single-leg) on firm and foam surface were tested. The Waterloo Footedness questionnaire-revised was used to
determine leg dominance. Each of the 20-second trials was scored by counting the errors accumulated by the subject. Results: Elite
archers had significantly less number of balance error on Firm surface (8.48±3.31) p=0.006, and on Total BESS score (21.94±4.98)
p=0.025 than novice archers [Firm surface (10.02±2.035), Total BESS score (24.16±4.744)]. However, there was no statistical
difference for foam surface score in elite (13.46±2.84) and novice archers (14.14±4.49), p=0.368. Conclusion: Elite archers had
significantly better postural stability on a firm surface and total score of BESS, whereas on foam testing surface both elite and novice
recurve archers showed no statistical differences in the postural stabilizing ability.
Keywords: Recurve Archers, BESS, Balance, Waterloo Footedness questionnaire-revised
Medical Science, 2020, 24(105), 3506-3512
