Air pistol shooting: upper limb muscle activation between training and simulated competition

Heightened stress during air pistol competitions may impair shooters' abilities to maintain gun stability, resulting in inferior performance. This study aimed to compare the pre-trigger muscle activation levels of upper muscles in 10-m air pistol shooters between training and simulated competition conditions. Seven sub-elite shooters from the Singapore National Youth Air Pistol Team shot 30 shots in a training versus simulated competition condition in randomised orders on separate days. Muscle activation for the forearm and shoulder muscles, namely extensor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, anterior deltoid, and posterior deltoid, were recorded using electromyography (EMG). Shooting performance was evaluated by total shot scores. Stress level was monitored via heart rate and the Mental Readiness Form-3. No statistically significant differences were found in EMG, performance, or stress-related variables between conditions, although moderate-to-large effect sizes were observed in some muscle activation and self-reported stress indicators. Analysis of individual performances using smallest worthwhile change showed that two participants improved under the simulated competition condition, while two declined, and three remained unaffected. In conclusion, sub-elite youth air pistol shooters were able to exhibit good neuromuscular control under high anxiety situations and thus their performance was largely unaffected.