Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Original Article

Yips in Kyudo (Japanese archery): prevalence, classification, and aggravating factors

Seiichiro Nishio1), Yuichi Hayashi, M.D., Ph.D.2), Shinei Kato, M.D.2), Yoya Ono, M.D.2), Masahiro Waza, M.D., Ph.D.3), Yoichiro Nagao, M.D., Ph.D.4), Akihiro Mukaino, M.D., Ph.D.5), Shunya Nakane, M.D., Ph.D.5) and Takayoshi Shimohata, M.D., Ph.D.2)

1) Gifu University School of Medicine
2) Department of Neurology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine
3) Department of Neurology, Kakamigahara Rehabilitation Hospital
4) Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University
5) Department of Molecular Neurology and Therapeutics, Kumamoto University Hospital

In Kyudo (Japanese archery), there are four disorders that hinder an archer's performance: Hayake (releasing the bow too early), Motare (unable to release the bow when intended), Biku (jerking when aiming), and Yusuri (shaking when drawing the bow, or aiming). These disorders are similar to Yips, a psycho-neuromuscular movement disorder, recognized in various sports, but few studies have examined yips in Kyudo. This study examined the frequency, classification, and risk factors of yips in Kyudo among medical students. The results showed that 41 of 65 students (63.1%) experienced at least one disorder. The frequency of Hayake was the highest (35 patients; 85.3%). An experience of playing was associated with the increased risk of yips in Kyudo. Motare was the only disorder that appeared on its own, and without complications from other disorders. Based on its characteristics, it was suspected that task-specific focal dystonia involved in Motare.
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(CLINICA NEUROL, 61: 522|529, 2021)
key words: Kyudo, yips, prevalence, aggravating factor, task-specific focal dystonia

(Received: 18-Nov-20)