Use of muscular disbalance condition of shooter's axial skeleton as an indicator for supervision over independent performance of physical training excercises

Compensatory deflection of the body has a negative effect on the shooter's spine. This contributes to development of persistent axial muscular imbalance which causes muscular pain and orthopedic issues for the shooters. Unfortunately, marksmanship instructors tend to ignore this aspect. The study purpose presented in the article is to improve the methods of monitoring the shooter's general physical condition after completion of special exercises designed to eliminate the muscular imbalance in the axial skeleton, both before and (especially) after marksmanship training sessions. The article defines the shooting stance as a means of achieving maximum immobility of the "shooter - weapon" system. Practical examples are used to demonstrate the improvement in rifle shooting results over time during marksmanship practice and qualification tests after correction of axial muscular imbalance. By completing the set of physical exercises developed by the author, the shooter will be able to maintain a sufficiently high level of shooting skills during short (up to 1 month) periods without marksmanship training. The proposed methodology significantly improves the stability of the "shooter - weapon" system by strengthening the axial skeleton muscles that are responsible for statics during the shooting. Superior control over various sets of muscles in the process of making the shot achieved through special physical exercises also has a positive effect on the shooter's mental state on the firing line. The method for graphical representation of muscular imbalance described in the article enables the instructor to properly supervise the exercises aimed to improve the shooter's physical preparedness for competitions or qualification tests.