Targeted improvements
In high-level sport, every movement matters and fractions of seconds can be the difference between success and failure. In sports that rely on specialised equipment – such as archery and rifle shooting – it’s vital to have everything set up in a way that helps the competitor perform at their very best.
Target rifle shooter Dr Glyn Barnett, a member of the Great Britain team, has revealed some of the mental and physical challenges involved in the sport, and how they’re addressed.
Writing in the upcoming issue of The Ergonomist, he said: “I’ve been shooting since 1985 and much of it now is like riding the proverbial bike – muscle memory, process, etc., - but the fine-tuning takes time at the beginning of a season.
“As I’ve become more experienced, I’ve spent time ensuring I maintain fitness out of the season, my kit is ready and my rifles serviced in time. My set-up on the point is minimal – I’m a great believer that less is more and I ensure my telescope is a simple head-turn away and ammo is in easy reach to minimise movements and aid repeatability.
“When asked to coach/mentor juniors, I use this experience to offer them guidance to ensure their movement on the firing point are efficient and easy, their process is standardised, their preparation meticulous.”
Meanwhile an Archery Box organiser designed to minimise unnecessary movements and help archers keep their focus and stability has been awarded an International Excellence Award. The waist-mounted accessory was created by Germany-based designer Annelie Daniela Costachescu to help improve comfort and performance.
It’s described as an innovation that “empowers archers to maintain uninterrupted concentration and precise control. This heightened focus can translate directly into improved accuracy and consistency, factors critical to winning crucial points.”
The next issue of The Ergonomist, the magazine for members of the CIEHF, is out in September.
