Differences in accuracy and consistency in elite lawn bowlers – study

by Bowls Australia on December 18, 2018

The School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, have undertaken and finalised a study into the differences in accuracy and consistency in elite lawn bowlers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and consistency of repeated lawn bowls deliveries across four different bowling conditions, as well as the bias in displacement of bowls that did not hit the target. Twenty-seven national and international representative lawn bowls athletes completed 16 forehand and backhand deliveries at two different bowling lengths. The resting position of each bowl in relation to the target was used to calculate width, length and absolute displacement of bowls from the target for each participant in each condition. Accuracy was not different between conditions, but athletes were less consistent in delivering forehand bowls. Athletes also had greater displacement in bowling width during forehand deliveries. The results of this study can be used as a guide for targeting training strategies that improve lawn bowling performance.

You can read the final report below:

The study was completed by Samantha Birse, Kate Webster, Jodie McClelland and Kane Middleton.