I cant say what has been proven ever but can give my thoughts on the design. Simply put the forward handle will point better. The real pay off is in short limbs, less mass, more speed and shorter bow. Since the limbs dont need to be pulled as far to achieve draw due to forward handle, you can then add preload which is speed. Theres a bit more in play but theres a short version. Good pointing, fast, hard hitting bow with in my opinion a higher forgiveness level for the size of the bow. Longer bows are forgiving and handle forward bows are too.