Effect of strength and conditioning on skill‑related fitness in archery: a systematic review

This systematic literature review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to evaluate how structured strength and conditioning interventions influence skill-related fitness components and shooting performance in precision archers. Searching electronic databases for relevant studies published between two thousand eight and two thousand twenty-three, two independent reviewers screened and selected controlled interventions and observational research based on specific population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design criteria. The extracted evidence demonstrated that combined general resistance training and sport-specific conditioning provided directional benefits, notably improving scapular and shoulder stability, dynamic shoulder control, core stability, and balance while reducing postural sway during the draw and hold phases. Despite small sample sizes and brief intervention durations across the included studies, the findings suggest that individualised conditioning programmes enhance physical stability and shot precision, though coaches must carefully balance training loads to preserve fine motor control.