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.

Validity and Reliability of the Isometric Prone Bench Pull Test.

Isometric strength tests are gaining popularity in recent years. However, no study has validated any isometric strength tests to assess upper body pulling ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of isometric prone bench pull. Twenty-three resistance trained athletes (age: 26±4 years, height: 1.75±0.07 m, body mass: 78.6±11.5 kg) were required to perform prone bench pull 1 repetition maximum and isometric prone bench pull tests during the familiarization and actual testing sessions. Isometric prone bench pull was performed at 90° and 120° elbow angles. Peak force and rate of force development measures were highly reliable with intra-correlation coefficient between 0.881-0.987. Peak force obtained from isometric prone bench pull at both elbow angles showed large correlations to prone bench pull 1 repetition maximum (r=0.833-0.858, p<0.01). Linear regression equations to predict 1RM performance from isometric prone bench pull peak force produced an estimated 1RM with a standard error of only 3-6% of the average prone bench pull 1 repetition maximum. The current findings show that isometric prone bench pull is a reliable test and can be used to predict prone bench pull performance.

In-Shoe Plantar Pressure Profiles in Amateur Basketball Players Implications for Footwear Recommendations and Orthosis Use.

BACKGROUND: Biomechanical analysis of foot loading characteristics may provide insights into the injury mechanisms and guide orthotic prescription for basketball players. This study aimed to quantify in-shoe plantar pressure profiles in amateur players when executing typical basketball movements. METHODS: Twenty male university basketball players performed four basketball-specific movement tasks-running, maximal forward sprinting, maximal 45° cutting, and layup-in a pair of standardized basketball shoes fitted with an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement system. Peak pressure (PP) and pressure-time integral (PTI) data were extracted from ten plantar regions. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed across the tasks, with significance set at P < .05. RESULTS: Distinct plantar pressure distribution patterns were observed among the four movements. Compared with running, significantly higher ( P < .05) PP and PTI of up to approximately 55% were found in sprinting and layup, particularly at the forefoot region. Similarly, significantly higher ( P < .05) PPs and PTIs, ranging from approximately 23% to 90%, were observed in 45° cutting compared with running at most foot regions. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with running, sprinting and layup demonstrated higher plantar loading in the forefoot region, and 45° cutting yielded increased plantar loading in most regions of the foot. Understanding the plantar pressure characteristics of different movements may be useful in optimizing footwear designs, orthosis use, or training strategies to minimize regional plantar loading during amateur basketball play.