Effects of Short-Term Novice Archery Training on Reaching Movement Performance and Interlimb Asymmetries

Abstract

Previous studies showed numerous evidence for the interlimb asymmetries in motor performance during arm reaching movements. Furthermore, these interlimb asymmetries have been shown to associate with spatial patterns of hand selection behavior. Importantly, these interlimb asymmetries can be modified systematically by occlusion of visual feedback, or a long-term sports training. In this study, we asked about the effects of a short-term training on interlimb asymmetries. Eighteen healthy young participants underwent a 12-week novice traditional archery training (TAT). Their unimanual dominant and nondominant arm reaching movement performance was assessed before and after TAT. We found that movement accuracy, movement precision, and movement efficiency in the experimental group have all improved significantly as a result of TAT. These improvements were comparable across both arms, thus the interlimb differences in movement performance were not affected by the short-term TAT and remained similar. These results suggest that while short-term training may contribute positively to reaching performance, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the differences observed between the dominant and nondominant arms. This unique characteristics of dominant and nondominant arm should be taken into consideration when developing targeted sports and rehabilitation programs for athletes or individuals with acute or chronic motor deficits.

Keywords:

• reaching
• interlimb asymmetries
• archery

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all participants for their contribution and Murat Ozveri for his assistance with archery training.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

The author(s) reported no potential conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this research are provided upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

Selcuk Akpinar was supported by the Scientific Research Project Department at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, # NEÜBAP13S30. Andrzej Przybyla was supported by the University of North Georgia Presidential Award.