Postural Considerations for Rifle and Pistol Shooters - USA Shooting

ColumnsFrom the Editor Aim with AMU Physio PhilosophyOn the Firing Line Coaches’ Cornersteady position for over three minutes. If itappears that a shooter has balance deficits, Irecommend a series of exercises that includepracticing single leg stance and using the WiiFit. When using the Wii, I calculate their Wiiage and then have them progress using theYoga, Balance and Strength modules. Oneadvantage of using the Wii is that individualprogress is easily monitored. As shooters tendto be a competitive group, the Wii is usefulin that the shooters can compete against eachother. Other ways to enhance stability includetraining under special conditions: standingon a foam pad instead of the concrete floor,using a narrower stance to increase difficultyand prolonging your hold.Shooters are prone to a variety of injuriesdue to the prolonged postural stresses and repetitivenature of the sport. Many rifle shootershave knee, hip, neck, mid and lower backpain from prolonged standing, kneeling andprone positions while supporting the weightof the gun. Pistol shooters are more prone toshoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and neck injuries.Treatment of these injuries can includejoint manipulation, soft tissue release, and theidentification of any flexibility, core strengthor stability deficits. Many times we will fabricateorthotics to assist with standing stability.Eric Uptagrafft“I’ve suffered chronic back pain for years,”said 1996 Olympian Eric Uptagrafft. “I attributethis to the stress from shooting standing.Through the use of custom shoe orthotics andmore recently core stability exercises, I’ve extendedmy three position shooting career byseven years so far.”To find a physical therapist in your area,please visit:http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_PT&Template=/APTA-APPS/FindAPT/findaptsearch.cfmand type in your zip code.Cathy Arnot graduated from Baylor Universityin 1990 with Masters of Physical Therapy andgraduated from the University of St. Augustinewith a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. Arnotbegan working with USA Shooting in 2003 as partof a group of physical therapistsotherapists who hadcompleted fellowship training under Dr. Bob DuVallat SportsMedicine of Atlanta. The physiotherapistscaltherapists travel with the team to World Cups,World Cup Finals, World Championships, Spring/Fall Selection matches, National Championshipsand the Olympic Games. Arnot is currently teachingteach mobilization, manipulation, orthopediclab, ethics and foundations of physical therapy in theDoctor of Physical Therapy Program at the Universityof South Carolina.