An ergonomic archery shirt: Gultom 2018 study

Two researchers at the State University of Medan, in Sumatra, designed a shooting shirt with the protection sewn in: a foam chest guard and a synthetic leather arm guard on the inside of the forearm, so that archers no longer have to strap on separate guards, which according to the authors often takes someone else's help. The work took place between July and October 2018 with the six active archers of the Planters Archery Club, a mix of children, teenagers and adults.

Two experts rated the prototype on a points sheet: 88 out of 100 from a fashion and garment expert and 83 out of 100 from an archery expert, both in the "excellent" band. Most of the archers already found the first version comfortable and effective, but asked for the chest guard, which was square, to be widened up to the shoulder, and for extra fabric at the top of the sleeve so that it would not restrict the draw; the second trial used the modified version. The authors write that 90% of the participants found the shirt effective and comfortable, without saying which of the two versions the figure refers to.

This is a research and development project in six stages: needs analysis, design, expert validation, first trial, revision and second trial. The expert sheet weighted seven aspects differently (originality, innovation, usefulness, economic aspects, safety, comfort and instructions for use), for a total of 100 points. The archers' views were gathered with a questionnaire and by observation, and analysed qualitatively. There are no measurements of shooting, movement or materials.

The sample is six people of very different ages, and the questionnaire is not reported: we do not know what was asked or how the answers were counted. Ninety per cent of six participants does not correspond to a whole number of people (five out of six is 83%), so the percentage cannot be reconstructed. The expert sheet also scores commercial potential and usefulness "in testing and measurement", items designed for assessment equipment rather than a shirt, and there are only two experts. There is no comparison with separate guards or with an ordinary shirt, and no data on score, string contact or cost.

For anyone who shoots, the study shows only that a shirt with built-in guards can be made and that it was well received at a small club. The most interesting part is the two changes the archers asked for, a chest guard reaching up to the shoulder and a sleeve that does not catch during the draw, because they point to where ordinary clothing gets in the way. It says nothing about the effect on shooting, and leaves open how sewn-in protection could suit different body shapes or left-handed archers.