1. Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
Especial skill is a phenomenon in which performance at a highly practiced point unexpectedly exceeds predictions of Schmidt's schema theory and the force variability law. This study investigated the existence of especial skills in recurve archery across three skill levels and compared two shooting methods (sight vs. no-sight). Thirty male archers (10 per group) shot 150 arrows from five parametric points (0.5 m apart). Practice point (C) distances were 30 m (novice), 50 m (expert), and 70 m (skilled). Data were analyzed using linear regression, paired t-tests, repeated-measures ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Pearson correlation matrices. Linear regression revealed no significant distance-accuracy relationship in any group (p>0.05). Repeated-measures ANOVA confirmed a significant Group × Point interaction (F=4.21, p=0.023, η²=0.142). Paired t-tests showed significant differences in the expert group (sight method) between point C vs. D (p=0.038, d=0.768) and C vs. E (p=0.050, d=0.715). No-sight performance (9.04±0.19) was significantly higher than sight (8.88±0.24; p=0.044, d=0.741) in experts only. ICC analysis confirmed high motor representation consistency in experts (ICC=0.847). Archery does not follow the force variability law. Classical regression fails to detect especial skills in isometric precision tasks; however, supplementary analyses support learning specificity at the practiced distance in experts. Findings challenge schema theory's applicability to precision aiming skills.
Hoseini,S S . (2025). Especial Skill in Recurve Archery: Comparing Three Skill Levels and the Role of Shooting Method in Motor Learning Specificity. (e246206). Iranian Journal of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, 5(4), e246206 doi: 10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.586902.1170
MLA
Hoseini,S S . "Especial Skill in Recurve Archery: Comparing Three Skill Levels and the Role of Shooting Method in Motor Learning Specificity" .e246206 , Iranian Journal of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, 5, 4, 2025, e246206. doi: 10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.586902.1170
HARVARD
Hoseini S S. (2025). 'Especial Skill in Recurve Archery: Comparing Three Skill Levels and the Role of Shooting Method in Motor Learning Specificity', Iranian Journal of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, 5(4), e246206. doi: 10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.586902.1170
CHICAGO
S S Hoseini, "Especial Skill in Recurve Archery: Comparing Three Skill Levels and the Role of Shooting Method in Motor Learning Specificity," Iranian Journal of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, 5 4 (2025): e246206, doi: 10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.586902.1170
VANCOUVER
Hoseini S S. Especial Skill in Recurve Archery: Comparing Three Skill Levels and the Role of Shooting Method in Motor Learning Specificity. IJMBSP. 2025;5(4):e246206 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/ijmbsp.2026.586902.1170