Table 1 Biometric and archival characteristics of the total and groups comparison, mean ± standard deviation, n = sample size, Match = matching variable; M = Male, F = female; n.s. = not significant

Number

75

50

25

Match

Sex (m = male, f = female)

M = 60; f = 15

M = 40; f = 10

M = 20; f = 5

Match

Age [years]

47.4 ± 13.9

47.3 ± 13.9

47.6 ± 14.3

Match

Height (m)

1.78 ± 0.1

1.78 ± 0.1

1.78 ± 0.1

n.s.

Body weight [kg)

81.3 ± 12.8

81 ± 12.7

82 ± 13.1

0.1; n.s.

Body mass index (BMI) [kg/m²]

25.6 ± 3.4

25.5 ± 3.3

26 ± 3.8

−0.57; n.s.

Archery discipline: Target Archery - Field Archery - 3D Archery [% of participants]

39.2 - 14.5% - .46.3%

38.3 - 17.3% - 44.4%

41.2 - 8.8% - 50%

2.9 n.s.

Archery experience [years]

10.4 ± 7.7

10 ± 7

11 ± 9

−0.53; n.s.

Training frequency [sessions/week]

2.4 ± 1.3

2.4 ± 1.2

2.6 ± 1.6

−0.61; n.s.

Training duration [hours/week]

4.3 ± 2.7

4.4 ± 2.3

4.2 ± 2.9

0.32; n.s.

Secondary upper limb sports [% of particpants]

7

10

5

n.s.

Archery-associated strength / resistance training [% of participants]

22

21

24

n.s.

Eye dominance [% of participants] right – left – unknown

69.3–29.3 – 1.3

74–26 - 0

60–36 - 4

3.0; n.s.

pull-arm-dominance [% of participants] right – left – cross

81.3–18.6 – 21.3

90–10 - 24

64–36 - 16

20.4; < .01

Frequency of participants with a history of cervical spine complaints

15%

14%

16%

0.1; n.s.

Frequency of participants with a history of shoulder complaints

43%

42%

44%

0.1; n.s.

Frequency of participants with a history of trunk complaints

25%

26%

24%

0.1; n.s.

Profession of the archers (mostly sedentary – mostly standing – mostly walking) [% of participants]

68–22 - 10

66–26 - 8

72–14 - 14

5.5; n.s.