I have been noticing a lot of threads about shoulder injuries, surgeries etc on this site lately. Some of the problems are rotator cuff injuries, and some of the problems with the joint have to do with arthritis due probably to long-term abuse (my case, shoulder replaced 2014). I have to wonder if shooting heavy bows, or at least heavIER bows, is why there seem to be so many of us with those issues..... might be a case for dropping down in weight before the problem manifests.

Just got Tom Brady's book TheTB 12 Method.  Very interesting take on rehab and what he calls prehab, or preventing injuries in the first place, regardless of your sport or activity level. If you want to add years to your sport it might be worth the read.

I suspect you are correct, Susan. My rotator cuff injuries and repairs were baseball oriented, and my shoulder replacement was due to very advanced arthritis and the bone-to-bone wear from the loss of cartilage. For me, it was all part of being active and playing sports all my life -- I have also had a knee and hip replacements and at least 12 other sports-related surgeries.

Physical stress is generally good for muscles, but can be harmful for joints. The trick is for a person to find his/her balance point -- a place where the strength is used well without undue damage.

We are lucky to live in a time of high-performance stick bows that can keep us in the sport and allow us to hunt ethically with lower weight bows. My suggestion to the young bowhunters out there is to drop down in weight and use the best bow you can afford. Your joints will thank you later in life.

I think heavier bows do speed up the process, but I believe that any activity that is stressful and repetitive to the shoulder, even with fairly light weights, will eventually cause problems.

I have a shoulder that "nags" me from time, to time...
A couple years ago I bought the Bear T/D I've wanted for over 40 years. A handle, #1 limbs, 53# @ 28"... I've been shooting 50-55# since I was a teenager. I also have a collection of old Bears, 2 1969 Grizzlys in particular that pull 40# & 43#.
I use them as "warm up" and 3D bows, during the summer, to get me ready for the upcoming hunting season. It also gives me a chance to shoot some of those sweet old bows, that are in "semi-retirement" lol...

Been lucky with shoulder issues, none so far. Age 72 and do note I get tired faster shooting my 60# recurve. I like to shoot many arrows when I go out. With that in mind my 50-55# bows have been getting the most use lately.
Along these same lines, I read were guys shoot multiple arrows everyday. I wonder if this is a good idea? Bodybuilders do different routines each day to give muscles a rest. Shouldn't we be giving our Archery muscles a rest as well?