Effects of an 8-Week Scapular Stabilization Exercise Program on Shooting Accuracy and Upper Limb Performance in Traditional Archery Athletes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of an 8-week scapular stabilization exercise program on shooting accuracy and upper extremity performance in traditional archery athletes. This randomized controlled trial includes licensed archers aged 15 to 35 with at least 2 years of experience. The study aims to address how scapular stability affects shooting accuracy and shoulder health, which is important for preventing injuries and improving performance in this sport. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will perform supervised scapular stabilization exercises three times a week for about 40 minutes per session over 8 weeks, alongside their regular archery training. Exercises target muscles like the serratus anterior and lower trapezius to improve scapular alignment, control, and endurance. The control group will continue their usual training without additional exercises. Participants will undergo assessments before and after the intervention, including tests for shooting performance, upper extremity strength, stability, proprioception, and endurance. These evaluations will be conducted by blinded testers to ensure unbiased results. The total participation lasts at least 8 weeks, with ongoing monitoring of performance changes and exercise progression adjusted every two weeks based on muscle endurance tests.

The Effects of Scapular Stabilization Exercises in Traditional Archery Athletes