Eye tracking stratgies and physiological pattern of air pistol shooters with different skill levels under pressure and control

Shooting is a static sport in which gaze behavior is at the forefront, affected by physiological, psychological and technical components, and requires fine motor skills. The main objectives of this study were to investigate how skin conductance (SC), heart rate (HR) and eye tracking strategies changed during shooting of air pistol shooters under pressure and control situations. 32 air pistol shooters (n=9 elite, n=11 intermediate, n=12 novice) voluntarily participated in the study. Quiet eye (QE) duration, pupil diameter, SC and HR evaluated in terms of: (i) control (10 shots) and pressure situation (10 shots); (ii) 8-score and less, 9-score and 10-score shots and total shots; (iii) four phases (basal, preparation, aiming and resting). There was a significant difference between the groups in scores, HR and QE duration (p<.05), however, no difference was found in SC values (p>.05). In all groups, SC and HR increased in the pressure situation compared to the control situation (p<.05). The HR of the 10-score shots had lower HR values compared to the other shots in the intermediate and novice groups. Although significant changes were detected in SC and HR values between phases in all groups, there was more cardiac deceleration in the aiming phase in the elite group compared to the other groups. In all groups, dilation of the pupil diameter during the QE duration was found (p<.05). Finally, it is recommended to include long-term cardio exercises in training programs and QE training may be beneficial for novice shooters to improve their performance.