Relationship of Strength and Precision in Shooting Activities

Reported is an experiment which was designed to (1) test the strength-precision relationship of grip and shoulder strength with competitive pistol shooting scores using a nationally ranked collegiate pistol team and (2) determine the effects of a very brief, specifically focused, intense grip and shoulder strength training program (10 min, 3 times per week for 8 weeks) on strength and shooting performance. All members of the Pennsylvania State University Navy ROTC Pistol Team (n = 12) were divided into two matched groups according to pre-test shooting scores. Both groups received identical shooting instruction and practice, but the training group participated in an eight-week strength development program while the control group did not. Maximum isometric strength (peak and 4-sec average force) measures were obtained from electronic output of a hand dynamometer and strain gauge (deltoid contraction from a lateral horizontal shooting position against an arm cuff). Shooting scores (slow fire, timed fire, rapid fire, and total) were used as performance measures. The 24 intense but brief exercise bouts did not produce group training effects, despite painstaking efforts to use (1) exercises documented to produce training effects, (2) subjects who were highly motivated, (3) accurate and reliable strength testing equipment, and (4) a program which exercised to fatigue each day the target muscles. This finding is particularly alarming because of the strong body of literature suggesting the effect should have occurred. It also suggest that the time spent in strength training might better be spent in shooting. Nonetheless, robust strength-performance correlations were obtained, particularly in two areas: (1) slow fire shooting scores with grip strength and (2) timed and rapid fire with deltoid strength. Furthermore, individual subject analysis revealed that those that improved in strength also improved in shooting skill. This training was effective for improving strength and scores in some subjects, especially in producing increases in deltoid strength concomitant with improvements in timed and rapid fire scores. This work has implications for all types of free-limb shooting activities, for military and civilian populations, and for novice and elite performers.