Shoulder Issues

[Brandon Pattison]

Has anyone ever proven that shooting high poundage bows will have a negative effect on your shoulders down the road or is it just simply junk shoulders don't tolerate heavy loads well? I don't really have any issues but I have been shooting heavy bows for most of my 25 years of archery experience (except my new one is a 70 pounder).

 

[Manosteel]

I don't think so, especially with the high let-off bows that started coming out in the mid 1990's. I am with you, I have been shooting 70 lbs for almost 20 years and this year I dropped down to 62lbs and then I hurt my shoulder, non-shooting related but ironic.

 

[larryschwartz]

Most shoulder problems, from what I have experienced and have learned, come from one of two things; either shooting heavy draw weight with bad form that uses the wrong muscles or the weaker muscles for the job at hand, or, not keeping the muscles that hold the shoulder in place strong. We all need to remember that our shoulders are just like a deers front leg, it is held in place by muscles and tendons and ligaments rather than with a bone ball-and-socket joint.

 

[justin davis]

I have heard this alot from older guys. Saying that you will regret shooting high poundage.

I don't know if it is proven or what. I think bows of today can be high poundage but can be easier on your shoulder compared to older bows.
With that said, the repetitive nature of archery could cause damage. By over use

 

[Brandon Pattison]

I don't think so, especially with the high let-off bows that started coming out in the mid 1990's. I am with you, I have been shooting 70 lbs for almost 20 years and this year I dropped down to 62lbs and then I hurt my shoulder, non-shooting related but ironic.

How is that possible with a handle like that?

 

[Brandon Pattison]

Most shoulder problems, from what I have experienced and have learned, come from one of two things; either shooting heavy draw weight with bad form that uses the wrong muscles or the weaker muscles for the job at hand, or, not keeping the muscles that hold the shoulder in place strong. We all need to remember that our shoulders are just like a deers front leg, it is held in place by muscles and tendons and ligaments rather than with a bone ball-and-socket joint.

Not completely. We have ball joints and clavicles.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

I have heard this alot from older guys. Saying that you will regret shooting high poundage.

I don't know if it is proven or what. I think bows of today can be high poundage but can be easier on your shoulder compared to older bows.
With that said, the repetitive nature of archery could cause damage. By over use

I have heard that for a long time too, just like your ears and loud-n-and roll. I would think that the newer bows would be worse since the force draw curve is steeper in the first part of the draw which is less of a mechanical advantage, shoulder-wise.

 

[Manosteel]

...

 

[Manosteel]

How is that possible with a handle like that?

hahaha, time and major physcial punishment from playing hockey at the higher levels since I was 5, that is 35 years hitting and getting hit - throw in the fact that I have been pretty active in the gym since my late teens, play all kinds of sports and that all equals overuse and trama to all parts of my body. Doc said I had to slow down but I figure might as well keep kicking while you can

I dropped the draw wieght this year by accident, my local shop got my z7 Mag sent in with the wrong limbs (60 instead of 70) started shooting the 62lbs limbs, flet super easy, so we tuned the bow and then chronographed it. spitting out 378 gr arrows at 302-305(30" Draw- my true draw length is 29-3/4 but this one fit perfect with my handheld release). The bow shot so well for me I just kepted it.