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Originally Posted by Schme1440  I may not shoot a million pound longbow but have shot since I was 11. Having been shooting during my Teens a lot of my muscle developement during these years was focused on my archery muscles. My right arm and hand are significantly larger and stronger than my left. I think archers in general do develope differently. I am a big proof of this but the skeletons found on the Mary Rose and areas of battles are the most extreme examples. |
Yes, the chiropractor I go to calls this uneven development "the curse of the toxophilite." He shot to a high standard (he was junior MB) as a teenager in the days when everyone shot heavy bows and ali arrows to get the distance. At age 16 he had over 40lb on his fingers... and he still has the uneven development to show from it. I have also learned how easily this happens from personal experience- during the past few months of daily pulling over a fast-cam 50lb compound my right shoulder has developed more than my left- consequence of one side being in tension, one in compression I am told. Mind you, I can draw the bow real easily now! I just look a bit odd in a skimpy top and skinny cut shoulders on ladies jackets don't fit me so well any more. OK, some body types show muscle bulking more than others, but the basic development pattern is well-demonstrated.
Ray Axford has an interesting discussion of the issues around asymmetry in archery in his books "Archery Anatomy" if you want to look further.
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