Evidence registry for archery
The claims that circulate in archery teaching, each with its evidence status, its sources and its history.
Where to start · How the registry works · What people say and the studies do not confirm · The state of research
721 claims · 74% with evidence on archers
- 10Corroborated
- 434Reported
- 133Contested
- 56Transferred
- 23Contradicted
- 2Refuted
- 62Not studied
- 1Predicted
Category
Status
Discipline
Level
Technique and biomechanics
130 claims- CorroboratedBetween one and a half and two tenths of a second pass between the clicker sounding and the arrow leaving7 studies · 94 archers measuredStatus since 1990
- ReportedA camera diagonally behind the archer measures the vertical sway of the aim well, but not the horizontal1 study · 3 archers measuredStatus since 2010
- ReportedA continuous final pull through the clicker leads to better shots9 studies · 56 archers measuredStatus since 1993
- ReportedA sound or light cue about the angle of the bow arm tightens beginners' groups2 studies · 1 archers measuredStatus since 2012
- ReportedA thumb grip on the string is less tiring than a finger grip3 studies · 9 archers measuredStatus since 1990
- ReportedA two-finger string grip is about as accurate as a three-finger one1 study · 9 archers measuredStatus since 1990
- ReportedAcceleration curves from wearable sensors resemble those from a laboratory optical system2 studies · 12 archers measuredStatus since 2024
- ReportedAfter the release the body moves far more than it does while aiming4 studies · 102 archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedAmong beginners, those who score more hold the drawing shoulder at a smaller angle1 study · 104 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- ReportedAmong elite archers, those with a more consistent release time score higher3 studies · 15 archers measuredStatus since 2012
- ReportedAn expert's judgement of an archer's technique predicts their score3 studies · 113 archers measuredStatus since 2014
- ReportedArchers tell small differences in pressure on the drawing finger apart less well than non-archers1 study · 14 archers measuredStatus since 2007
- ReportedAt the clicker drop almost all the arm and trunk muscles are more active than in the half second before, and they move together3 studies · 39 archers measuredStatus since 2018
- ReportedAt the release the fingers open mainly at the middle and end joints, and barely at the knuckles1 study · 1 archers measuredStatus since 2009
- ReportedAt the release the load on the feet drops suddenly3 studies · 32 archers measuredStatus since 2010
Physical training
100 claims- ReportedA battery of physical tests identifies the most promising young archers7 studies · 373 archers measuredStatus since 2018
- ReportedA few weeks of archery improves children's balance1 study · 32 archers measuredStatus since 2009
- ReportedA mobility and stretching programme improves an archer's flexibility1 study · 30 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- ReportedA spell of reduced training makes the score drop1 study · 9 archers measuredStatus since 2021
- ReportedA strength programme away from the range increases an archer's measured strength15 studies · 316 archers measuredStatus since 2018
- ReportedA yoga programme raises an archer's score4 studies · 250 archers measuredStatus since 2021
- ReportedAmong people who shoot, men have far greater drawing strength than women2 studies · 209 archers measuredStatus since 1967
- ReportedAn elite archer spends more than fifteen hours a week training7 studies · 304 archers measuredStatus since 2022
- ReportedAn instrumented riser measures an archer's draw strength and holding time in agreement with the manual test3 studies · 73 archers measuredStatus since 2022
- ReportedArchers are stronger than non-sporting peers5 studies · 203 archers measuredStatus since 1984
- ReportedArchers have better fine manual dexterity than people who do not shoot2 studies · 142 archers measuredStatus since 2026
- ReportedArchers often have poor general physical condition23 studies · 678 archers measuredStatus since 2022
- ReportedArchers stand more still than people who do not shoot7 studies · 372 archers measuredStatus since 2015
- ReportedArchers who jump higher score higher2 studies · 56 archers measuredStatus since 2019
- ReportedArchers who reach the top started shooting as children9 studies · 271 archers measuredStatus since 2007
Mind and attention
183 claims- ReportedA larger working memory does not make an archer more accurate3 studies · 79 archers measuredStatus since 2012
- ReportedA longer quiet eye improves shooting accuracy3 studies · 58 archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedA mental profile tells archers apart from athletes in other sports only in part5 studies · 550 archers measuredStatus since 2018
- ReportedA mental training programme improves the elite archer's mood1 study · 16 archers measuredStatus since 2023
- ReportedA mental training programme reduces burnout in elite archers1 study · 16 archers measuredStatus since 2023
- ReportedA mindfulness programme improves some of an archer's mental skills, but not all3 studies · 35 archers measuredStatus since 2020
- ReportedA relaxation session right before shooting does not improve the score5 studies · 65 archers measuredStatus since 1999
- ReportedA school archery course improves pupils' motivation and wellbeing4 studies · 206 archers measuredStatus since 2022
- ReportedA second before the arrow reaches the target, the brain's electrical activity already differs from its resting state1 study · 11 archers measuredStatus since 2022
- ReportedA self-hypnosis programme raises the concentration and emotional control archers report2 studies · 17 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- ReportedA sizeable share of the score differences between archers comes down to mental factors5 studies · 306 archers measuredStatus since 1986
- ReportedA yoga programme lowers an archer's competitive anxiety and raises self-confidence1 study · 14 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- ReportedAfter a perfect shot, the elite archer feels more relief than joy1 study · 65 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- ReportedAfter a poor end, one of the ways elite archers respond is to look for the fix on their own, without going to the coach2 studies · 12 archers measuredStatus since 2001
- ReportedAfter two arrows outside the 10, elite women archers recover less than men on the next arrow1 study · archers measuredStatus since 2024
Equipment and tuning
147 claims- CorroboratedAlong its flight the arrow loses an appreciable part of its launch speed12 studiesStatus since 2011
- CorroboratedAs it leaves the bow, the arrow flexes and snakes around the riser instead of leaving straight19 studies · 47 archers measuredStatus since 2012
- ReportedA camera-based scoring system misreads some arrows: the ones barely sticking out and the ones that shift the target face7 studies · 2 archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedA chest band with fibre optic sensors measures breathing and mean heart rate with small errors, and an archer can wear it while shooting2 studiesStatus since 2019
- ReportedA compound bow stores between 70 and 100 joules and sheds about two thirds of the force at full draw4 studiesStatus since 2015
- ReportedA damper tuned to the tremor frequency reduces the bow's vibration while aiming1 studyStatus since 2017
- ReportedA heavier draw weight leads to higher scores9 studies · 264 archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedA horn-and-sinew composite bow shoots better than a wooden bow of the same draw weight6 studiesStatus since 1988
- ReportedA Japanese bow glued with traditional animal glue pushes the arrow harder in the final stretch, at the same peak speed1 study · archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedA medium-weight wooden bow with a very light cane arrow does not exceed forty metres per second and only works at close range2 studiesStatus since 2016
- ReportedA shaft that buckles on release breaks in the middle and leaves sharp edges3 studiesStatus since 2024
- ReportedA shooting shirt with built-in chest guard and arm guard is judged comfortable by archers1 study · 6 archers measuredStatus since 2018
- ReportedA signal telling beginners when the bow is at the right angle tightens their groups1 study · 2 archers measuredStatus since 2012
- ReportedA thinner arrow drifts less in the wind8 studiesStatus since 2011
- ReportedA well-built shooting machine groups more tightly than an archer11 studies · 3 archers measuredStatus since 1990
Competition and scoring
78 claims- CorroboratedAbout 150 points on a FITA round separate a club archer from a national-team archer13 studies · 492 archers measuredStatus since 2003
- CorroboratedAn archer's arousal rises with what is at stake, and keeps rising as the competition goes on3 studies · 23 archers measuredStatus since 2011
- CorroboratedArchers are more aroused in competition than in training5 studies · 50 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- CorroboratedAt 70 metres a top archer averages about nine points per arrow7 studies · 72 archers measuredStatus since 2012
- CorroboratedEven in competition at the highest level, most arrows are not tens4 studies · 3,212 archers measuredStatus since 2024
- CorroboratedIn studies of competitive archers the mean score per arrow sits around seven points, not nine11 studies · 268 archers measuredStatus since 2026
- CorroboratedWithin one group of archers, scores differ widely from one archer to another11 studies · 244 archers measuredStatus since 2019
- ReportedA mock competition with spectators and noise gets archers used to pressure2 studies · 9 archers measuredStatus since 2008
- ReportedAccuracy does not drop in competition compared with practice5 studies · 74 archers measuredStatus since 1994
- ReportedAn annual calendar with more control competitions and fewer selection competitions brings better results at the major events1 study · archers measuredStatus since 2020
- ReportedAn archer's accuracy varies a great deal from one day to the next1 study · 15 archers measuredStatus since 2024
- ReportedArchers classed at a higher level score more points8 studies · 550 archers measuredStatus since 2003
- ReportedArchers with more competitions behind them do not shoot the shoot-off arrow better1 study · 3,645 archers measuredStatus since 2020
- ReportedArrow groups are wider horizontally than vertically4 studies · 40 archers measuredStatus since 2014
- ReportedArrow groups widen more than in proportion to distance9 studies · 183 archers measuredStatus since 2014
Health and recovery
83 claims- ReportedA carotenoid and omega-3 supplement improves the archer's sleep1 study · 29 archers measuredStatus since 2026
- ReportedA day of competition does not lower an archer's salivary IgA2 studies · 48 archers measuredStatus since 2021
- ReportedA few nutrition education sessions change how an archer eats and raise blood glucose in competition1 study · 8 archers measuredStatus since 2021
- ReportedA few weeks of breathing exercises improve young archers' respiratory function1 study · 36 archers measuredStatus since 2025
- ReportedA few weeks of shooting alone improve shoulder mobility1 study · 24 archers measuredStatus since 2026
- ReportedA session of manual therapy after shooting did not help the archer's shoulder recover1 study · 20 archers measuredStatus since 2024
- ReportedA sleep education programme raises young archers' scores1 study · 10 archers measuredStatus since 2019
- ReportedAn archer's basal metabolic rate does not differ from the value predicted for their age2 studies · 16 archers measuredStatus since 1981
- ReportedArchers over fifty have a stronger grip, a brisker walking pace and better balance than senior athletes in other sports1 study · 18 archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedArchers with shoulder pain have the same abduction strength as those without1 study · 58 archers measuredStatus since 2021
- ReportedArchery can cause a stress fracture of the first rib on the bow side1 study · 1 archers measuredStatus since 1992
- ReportedAt rest young archers have normal cardiorespiratory values7 studies · 354 archers measuredStatus since 2017
- ReportedAt the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games about one para-archer in fourteen fell ill2 studies · 139 archers measuredStatus since 2022
- ReportedDuring Ramadan an archer's fatigue is concentrated in the first two weeks2 studies · 24 archers measuredStatus since 2011
- ReportedElite archers supported by a nutrition professional are slimmer and train more1 study · 51 archers measuredStatus since 2026
No claims match these filters.
How to read the statuses
A status is a dated editorial judgement, not an automatic calculation. The label says how well a claim holds up with the literature available in a given year. The share "with evidence on archers" counts the claims that have at least one study on archers for or against them: studies cited only as context do not count.
- CorroboratedSeveral studies on archers, with adequate designs, point the same way.
- ReportedThere is supporting evidence on archers, but it is limited: one study, few participants or only an association.
- ContestedStudies on archers point in opposite directions.
- TransferredNo direct evidence on archers: the claim rests on studies of other sports or the general population.
- ContradictedWhat evidence there is goes against the claim, but it is thin or indirect: a single study on archers, few participants, or only studies from other sports.
- RefutedSeveral studies on archers, with adequate designs, show the opposite or no effect.
- Not studiedNo relevant evidence.
- PredictedThe Lab has registered a testable prediction and is waiting for the outcome.
Research
The evidence in the registry has a history: the Research section collects the research lines, the measurement methods and the populations studied. Go to the Research section.
Registry updates by email
At most one email a month, sent only when something has changed: claims that change status, new claims, Lab predictions registered or resolved, new studies and new books.
Sign-ups are handled by Systeme.io, the service that runs the newsletter. Every email has a link to unsubscribe with one click.