Bidirectional Influences Between Psychophysiological State and Performance in Olympic Shooting: The Role of Attention and Autonomic Function.

Abstract

Olympic shooting is a precision sport where technical execution is shaped not only by motor skills but also by psychophysiological factors influencing performance. However, their interplay in relation to competition performance remains underexplored. This study aimed to: (1) examine the impact of competition's temporal dynamics on shooting performance, attentional capacity, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function; and (2) investigate how pre-competition individual differences in attentional capacity and ANS function relate to technical shooting performance. Twenty-six intermediate-level pistol shooters were recruited to complete a simulated 60-shot competition test. Attentional capacity was assessed using a Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) administered pre- and post-competition. Vagally-mediated Heart Rate Variability (vmHRV) parameters were recorded at baseline and during the competition to evaluate autonomic regulation. Competition impacted athletes' psychophysiological state, with a significant decline in attentional capacity (reaction time slowing), whereas changes in cardiac vagal modulation over time did not reach statistical significance. Exploratory analyses suggested that pre-competition psychophysiological markers may be associated with shooting performance. Greater attentional instability was associated with reduced precision hold stability, decreased aiming accuracy, and poorer trigger control, whereas lower cardiac vagal tone was linked to diminished overall shooting scores. Consistent with these preliminary observations, group comparisons based on pre-competition psychophysiological profiles revealed differences in technical shooting performance, with athletes characterized by higher cardiac vagal tone and greater attentional stability displaying more favorable execution across key parameters. Our findings highlight the potential interplay between psychophysiological state and shooting performance, suggesting that autonomic and attentional regulation may represent relevant factors to consider when preparing athletes for Olympic shooting competition and informing strategies aimed at supporting performance under competitive demands.