Reversals and such...

[tel]

Is there a point at which exercises such as reversals cease to be of benefit? I'm thinking in terms of an archers age. Muscle memory and/or developement only goes on for a certain time surely? So is an old git like me wasting time in trying to educate 'static' muscle?

tel

[Old Bloke]

Bit of a waste of time if you are doing reversals (rehearsals) and training the wrong muscles. A little and often is what is need in archery, which is what rehearsals will give you. Stop and you will soon notice the difference on a windy day.

I've just spotted some York dumbells in our local charity shop..perfect for strengthening one particular muscle that isn't up to the job at the moment.
Guess where I will be as soon as the shop opens tomorrow? £10 for two will be the best £10 on archery kit I will spend this summer!

[tel]

Ah, well.. this is part of my quandary....you've been shooting almost as long as cupid, so for you its 'keeping' the same things strong enough and mobile.
For some of us 'late-comers' it involves using parts that have rarely, if ever, been used to any capacity, and I'm wondering if those parts might actually be beyond development.

[tel]

Originally Posted by Yorker

Almost no matter what your age up to about say the last 5/10 years when you are to all intents and purposes just waiting before dying I would say you can maintain physical strength and condition.
It just happens that when you are younger you have more testosterone and growth hormone usually and your body is better prepared for muscular development.

However, my daddykins is seventy odd, he has only come back to shooting in about the past year or two having been away from it for about 18 years... he doesn't pull as heavy as he used to but then he doesn't shoot nearly as much as he used to.

I'm not making myself clear am I?
Keeping what you have or have had is one thing - starting from scratch using muscles that - I think its generally agreed - are pretty underused except for archery is something altogether different. So as we're not talking 'maintaining' or 're-using' muscle, but training to shoot from scratch, at what point (sensibly) could it be said that further muscle development would be unlikely.

[LineCutter]

Sounds like you're in the "can't teach an old dog new tricks" camp...

Of course you can learn new stuff. It won't be as quick or comprehensive as if you'd started younger, but you can do it.

If you need proof - go break a leg & get it put in plaster. Then after the muscles have wasted away decide whether you need a wheelchair for the rest of your life of whether physio & practice would make more sense Or just go see someone (old) who has recovered from a stroke by learning to make use of the brain & muscle that was left undamaged.

There's no excuse for it now, you'll just have to get training

[tel]

Cheers Linecutter!

Honest - wasn't looking for an excuse so much as confirmation that I wouldn't do more harm than good by trying to train the un-trainable!

[Old Bloke]

You can teach an old dog new tricks..Bonio's do it for me.

[Tony_zelah]

50 next birthday and had to go in the local rehabilitation unit few months ago for two weeks physio (2 sessions a day) and respite care. While I was in there had to take my bow in so physio could advice me on excesses. Explained reversals to her, and she said that sounds a great exercise, but make sure you do some on both sides.

[Albert]

Its never too late, but, to build muscle later in life takes longer and more gentle increments in exercise routines. Work with a physiotherapist and Dietician.

[archer_thom]

Tel - I'd say you can develop muscles even if you're a latecomer to sport, as I've seen plenty or guys here start archery after retiring and do really well. Also, a little and often is better than anything strenuous for developing archery strength too as that's how archery works. I know someone's going to disagree with that one though.