Wedman, Pasi. 2023. Relationships between technical and physical characteristics in air rifle shooting and changes in shooting performance over a prolonged shooting session. Coaching and Testing Master`s Thesis. University of Jyväskylä. Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences. 39 p. The aim of this study was to research if there is a significant correlation between shooters` maximal oxygen uptake and maximal isometric power with their shooting performance level: hit, aim point fluctuation, and balance. The study also investigated group differences in shooting technique performance. And finally, are there observable chances with measured variables in shooting performance caused by prolonged series? Participants of this study were rifle shooters, recruited from a Finnish national rifle team: male (n = 5, age 36,5 ± 8,0), female (n = 5, age 27,2 ± 2,4), junior male (n = 8, age 18,6 ± 1,1) and junior female (n = 6, age 17,7 ± 1,0). Measurements included shooting technique analysis, maximal isometric measurements, and cycle ergometry (VO2max). Weight and height were measured from all the subjects. In shooting technique analysis each shooter shot in a shooting laboratory a prolonged series of shots (120 Shots). Shooters fired the shots at one-minute intervals. The shooting session measurements included shooting technique analysis, shooters' postural balance measurements, and filling VAS-line questionnaire of subjective feelings of fatigue and numbness of muscles with every 20 shots. Three variables were used to analyse the shooting technique to identify the chances of the barrel hold and the shot score during the test: Hit (score of the shot), horizontal stability of hold (DevX) and vertical stability of hold (DeVY). Postural balance was measured as the mean speed of movement in the center of the pressure in anteroposterior (VelX) and mediolateral (VelY) direction and as velocity moment (VM) during the time period 3-0 s before the shot. Maximal isometric measurements were carried out to determine the subject`s maximal isometric power: Body flexion and extension, leg extension, biceps curl, bench press, and grip strength. Finally, each subject carried out a maximal cycle ergometer test to determine VO2 max. All the tests were carried out in one day/subject. The results pointed out there a was significant correlation between aim point fluctuation and score: DevX, (rho= -.738, p<0.001) and devY, (rho= -.686, p<0.001). There was also a significant correlation between Hit and all three balance variables VelX (rho=-.689, p<0.001), VelY (rho=-.700, p<0.001), and VM (rho= -.623, p<0.001. Aim point fluctuation value DevX correlated significantly with all balance values VelX (rho=.674, p<0.05), VelY (rho=.465, p<0.05), and VM (rho=.703, p<0.001). Aim point fluctuation value DevY correlated significantly with all balance values VelX (rho=.561, p<0.05), VelY (rho=.439, p<0.05), and VM (rho=.503, p<0.05). Balance variable VelY correlated with three maximal isometric power variables (grip strength right and left and bench press) and VO2 max. Experienced physiological numbness correlated with balance values VelY and VM. There was no correlation between Hit and any measured maximal isometric power value or VO2 max. There were no significant changes with measured variables in shooting performance caused by prolonged series. The stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that DevX as an independent variable accounted for 59% of the variance in the shooting score. The results of this study point out the practical meaning of shooting technique analysis relevance for understanding and analyzing the shooters` performance. Measuring shooters` techniques with reliable devices designed for shooting technique analysis is crucial. This study should also encourage coaches and athletes to consider the meaning of physical characteristics, physical training, and warm-up methods for shooting performance.
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