While skill is undoubtedly the most important aspect of performance for an archer, fitness and body size and shape can also be a factor in success. Body shape can affect balance and excess body fat increases fatigue, and having certain segment lengths may aid in the mechanics of shooting.

Anthropometry and Olympic Archery

London 2012 Olympic Games

Here is some information from the analysis of the anthropometric data from the archery participants at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

  Age Height (cm) Weight (kg) BMI
OVERALL AVERAGE (all sports) 26.1 176.9 72.8 23.3
Archery (all) 26.1 173.7 71.9 23.8
Archery (females) 25.8 167.2 63.1 22.5
Archery (males) 26.4 180.2 80.7 24.9

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Here is some information from the analysis of the anthropometric data from the archery participants at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

  Age Height (m) Weight (kg) BMI
OVERALL AVERAGE (all sports) 26.8 1.77 72.0 22.9
Archery (all) 26.1 1.74 72.2 23.8
Archery (females) 26.4 1.68 64.3 22.9
Archery (males) 25.9 1.80 80.1 24.8