Investigation into the correlations between engineering measurements and archers' perceptions of different limbs in a recurve bow.

This article presents a novel methodology to correlate objective engineering metrics and subjective archer perceptions in evaluating the performance of archery limbs from different manufacturers, manufacturing technologies, and connection systems. Nine sets of limbs were tested for static draw force curves, arrow speed, mechanical vibrations (measured at the riser and limbs), and sound levels, while ten intermediate-level archers assessed perceived stiffness, smoothness, speed, vibration, sound, and overall preference using questionnaires. Three quality coefficients—Static Quality Coefficient (q), Shooting Efficiency (η), and Dimensionless Initial Velocity (ν)—were used to quantify limb performance and were correlated with both measured data and subjective responses. Results indicate that archers accurately perceive stiffness and arrow speed but not smoothness, and that mechanical vibrations at the riser moderately correlate with perceived vibrations, whereas vibrations at the limbs are mainly perceived as sound. The study highlights that archers' preferences are influenced more by perceived stiffness and vibration than by sound or smoothness, and that the proposed combined objective-subjective methodology can inform improved archery equipment design by integrating performance and user experience.