Physical Fitness, Medicine & Treatment in Sports - Juniper Publishers
Abstract
Shooting is a sport of precision that requires
balance, and due to the repetitive nature of the sport it needs high
endurance as well. Although it is static sport injuries may be
experienced from doing the same thing repeatedly, thus putting a toll on
the body physically. Interventions provided by orthopaedicians
/physiotherapist can be very beneficial for a shooting athlete. Postural
alignment, flexibility, strength, postural stability, biomechanics and
the evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal
impairments are important considerations to a high performance in sports
shooting. Postural alignment and gait analysis are very important. A
misalignment of the foot and ankle can cause injury of the ankle, shin,
knee, hip, and lower back. In our study at ABHINAV BINDRA TARGETING
PERFORMANCE we have taken into consideration the professional shooters
on which gait assessment was done before and after the training session.
This study will help us know the benefits of training a specific group
of muscles for strengthening and improves the efficacy of the athlete.
Introduction
The ability to walk upright is a defining
characteristic of man. Gait is the way walking is performed and can be
normal, antalgic, or unsteady [1]. Gait analysis can be assessed by
various techniques but is most commonly performed by clinical evaluation
incorporating the individual’s history, physical examination, and
functional assessment. Gait abnormalities can be more precisely examined
using gait laboratories. These laboratories utilize surface EMG
activity of muscles, force plates, and kinematic evaluation of the lower
limbs. They are highly specialized units that assess various gait
abnormalities from individuals with neuromuscular disorders to
high-level athletics.
A proper clinical evaluation should always precede any gait lab
assessment [2]. The determination of abnormal gait requires
one to first understand the basic physiology and biomechanics
of normal gait [3]. The gait cycle is a time interval or sequence
of motion occurring from heel strike to heel strike of the same
foot. The gait cycle has been broadly divided into two phases:
stance phase and swing phase. These phases can then be further
subdivided and discussed in terms of percentage of each within
the gait cycle (Figure 1).
The stance phase is 60 percent of the gait cycle and can be
subdivided into double-leg and single-leg stance. In double-leg
stance, both feet are in contact with the ground. At an average
walking speed, it represents 10percent of the entire gait cycle,
but decreases with increased walking speed and ultimately
disappears as one begins to run. At slower walking velocities the
double-leg support times are greater. Single-leg stance comprises
up to 40 percent of the normal gait cycle [4]. The muscles that
are active during the stance phase act to prevent buckling of the
support limb. These include the tibialis anterior, the quadriceps,
the hamstrings, the hip abductors, the gluteus maximus, and
erector spinae. The swing phase is described when the limb is not
weight bearing and represents 40 percent of a single gait cycle. It
is subdivided into three phases: initial swing(acceleration), mid
swing, and terminal swing (deceleration). Acceleration occurs as
the foot is lifted from the floor and, during this time, the swing
leg is rapidly accelerated forward by hip and knee flexion along
with ankle dorsi flexion. Midswing occurs when the accelerating
limb is aligned with the stance limb. Terminal swing then occurs
as the decelerating leg prepares for contact with the floor and is
controlled by the hamstring muscles.
Determinants of Gait and Energy Conservation
During gait, three main events occur in which energy is
consumed. This includes controlling forward movement during
deceleration toward the end of swing phase, shock absorption at
heel strike, and propulsion during push off, when the center of
gravity is propelled up and forward. A human’s center of mass
(COM) is located just anterior to the second sacral vertebra,
midway between both hip joints [5]. The least amount of energy
is required when a body moves along a straight line, with the
COM deviating neither up nor down, nor side to side. Such a
straight line would be possible in normal gait if man’s lower
limbs terminated in wheels instead of feet. This obviously is not
the case, thus, our COM deviates from the straight line in vertical
and lateral sinusoidal displacements. With respect to vertical
displacement: the COM goes through rhythmic upward and
downward motion as it moves forward. The highest point occurs
at midstance, the lowest point occurs at time of double support.
The average amount of vertical displacement in the adult male
is approximately 5cm. With respect to lateral displacements: As
weight is transferred from one leg to the other, there is shift of
the pelvis to the weight-bearing side. The oscillation of the COM
amounts to side-to-side displacement of approximately 5cm.
The lateral limits are reached at midstance. Any pathology that
increases the vertical distance between the high and low points,
increases the energy cost of ambulation (Figures 2 & 3).
Methodology
A total of 32 shooters were examined clinically and gait
analysis was performed on them thereafter with a proper
consent for participation in the study at ABHINAV BINDRA
TARGETING PERFORMANCE, INDIA from a period of January
2019 to May 2019 (Figure 4).
Aims & Objectives
Gait analysis and pelvis muscles assessment for shooters
prior to training and comparing the assessment post training,
effect of stability and strengthening for improving the efficacy
of the shooters.
Discussion
The analysis of pre and post static balance as well as
dynamic balance for both groups and the comparison of the post
balance test of two groups were analyzed by using independent
sample t-test. First, the GAIT assessment scoring of firm surface
before the study among the control group was 5.14±1.069 and
increased to 5.39±1.704, which did not show significant at 5%
level of significance (ρ>0.05). while the scoring of foam surface
before study was 7.79±0.851 and increased to 7.53±1.372,
therefore it was not significant at 5% level of significance
(ρ>0.05). On the other hand, the scoring of GAIT assessment
for firm before the intervention among the experimental group
was 5.34±1.269 and after the intervention training program, it
reduced to 2.90±1.190 which showed significant improvement
with ρ<0.05. The dynamic balance results were reported on left
and right stance. The higher the score the better the dynamic
balance of the individual.
The shooters scores of mean and standard deviation of
left stance before the study among the control group before
test was 77.36±4.137 and after test score was 74.79±7.156,
which the improvement did not show statically significant;
whereas in right stance, before test was 76.37±6.785 and after test was 72.58±7.960 after four weeks of study and the
improvement did not show statically significant. However, the
score for experimental group in left stance was 75.31±5.334
before the intervention and improved to 82.14±5.661 after a
month intervention training, and it was significant at 5% level
of significance (ρ<0.05). Meanwhile, the scoring of in right
stance increased from 77.12±7.015-86.29±5.795 before and
after intervention respectively. Thus, this showed that the result
of left stance and right stance in SEBT indicated significant
improvement (ρ<0.05). Meanwhile, for standing on firm surface,
the mean score for the experimental group was 3.20±1.191 and
for the control group was 5.79±1.504. The result indicated there
was significant difference between the pre training and post
training after a month’s study.
Result
The combination of the two exercises components in current
study which were the balance exercises and jump landing
training, gait training and static and dynamic balancing on
firm and foam surface have drastically improved the ability of
shooters to balance and aim accurately [6]. Thus, it is crucial that
balance training should continue to be studied and promoted to
ensure the improvement in static and dynamic balance and thus
reducing the risks of injuries such as knee and ankle injuries and
ensure the accuracy of shooters.
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