Unstable trunk core strength training improves shooting performance and holding stability in elite 10 m air pistol athletes: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

While trunk strength training is well established in marksmanship sports, it is not known whether unstable or stable training regimes are more effective in air pistol athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether unstable trunk core strength training (UTCST) elicited greater improvements than stable training (STCST) in postural and gun-holding stability in national-level air pistol shooters. Twenty national-level shooters were randomly assigned to UTCST (n = 10; Swiss balls, BOSU balls, balance discs) or STCST (n = 10; stable surface) for 8 weeks. Outcome measures were center-of-pressure (COP) parameters (plantar pressure analysis) and shooting performance parameters (SCATT laser system) recorded 1-second prior to trigger. UTCST showed greater improvements than STCST in COP sway area (-11.03% vs. -2.02%, p < 0.05, η2p=0.22), COP path/area ratio (+ 9.55% vs. + 3.61%, p<0.05, η2p = 0.22), shooting scores (+ 2.46% vs. + 1.19%, p<0.05, η2p=0.20), 10-ring stability (+ 10.47% vs. + 6.51%, p < 0.05, η2p=0.25), 10.5-ring stability (+ 31.55% vs. + 6.48%, p<0.05, η2p=0.56), muzzle oscillation control (-8.74% vs. -4.05%, p < 0.05, η2p=0.39), and aim-trigger deviation (-25.73% vs. -10.1%, p<0.05, η2p=0.22). After FDR correction, only 10.5-ring stability and muzzle velocity remained significant; the other outcomes are interpreted as exploratory. Conclusion. In this sample of national-level air pistol athletes, UTCST appeared to produce greater improvements than STCST in both postural control and shooting precision, which may reflect enhanced neuromuscular coordination. Given the small, pilot sample, these preliminary findings require confirmation in larger, prospectively registered trials; nonetheless, they provide preliminary support for incorporating unstable-surface training into shooting-specific conditioning programs.