Title: The kinematic factors associated with elite level pistol shooting performance
Abstract: This thesis considered the kinematic factors associated with elite pistol
shooting performance. The first three studies examined performance in the newly
introduced modern pentathlon combined event. Study 1 demonstrated that
shooting performances differed significantly between the combined event and the
original precision shooting format. Pistol shooters achieved significantly higher
scores, and significantly smaller pistol and centre of pressure movements, than
modern pentathletes in the precision event (p<.05). No significant differences
were evident between the groups for combined event shooting (p>.05),
highlighting that the most successful precision shooters were not guaranteed
success in the combined event. Studies 2 and 3 examined how shooting
performance changed within and between each shooting series. Aiming time did
not change significantly within any series (p>.05), and so participants experienced a
similar degree of pistol and centre of pressure movement for each shot, and
achieved similar scores. No significant differences were evident in shooting
performances between each shooting series (p>.05), despite the additional 1 km
run phases. Thus, each running phase appeared to have little impact on shooting
performance. Individual analysis used in each study highlighted the extent of
individual variation in shooting performances, and demonstrated that group
analysis is not sufficient to reflect the performances of individual participants.
The final two studies examined elite precision shooting performances.
Study 4 provided a descriptive analysis of torso, shoulder, wrist and pistol
movement during the final second before the shot. Participants produced variable
movement patterns for the upper limb, reflecting the principle of abundancy, in
order to control the motion of the pistol. The exact patterns varied between
participants, further supporting the importance of using individual analysis to
examine pistol shooting performance. Study 5 examined the effects of stance
position on shooting performance. Changing stance position produced significant
differences in the scores achieved by each participant (p<.05). The most effective
mediolateral and anterior-posterior stance widths, and the mechanisms behind the
changes in performance, varied between participants. Thus, it was recommended that pistol shooters should examine stance position in greater detail when
attempting to enhance performance.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-01-01
Language: en
Type: dissertation
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