Importance of Bilateral Limb Symmetries in Olympic Clay Shooting: A Prospective Intervention Study

Abstract

The presented prospective controlled trial investigated the impact of neuromuscular asymmetry correction programs on Olympic clay shooting performance. The examination involved 33 subjects over six weeks, divided into an intervention (n = 18) and a control group (n = 15). After the initial assessment, subjects in the intervention group were given personalized training protocols to correct the identified asymmetries. The analyses revealed improvements of the intervention group in grip strength asymmetry (p = 0.012), single leg balance test (p = 0.027), YBT-LQ anterior reach (p = 0.036), and composition score (p < 0.001) alongside enhanced shooting scores (p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in the control group. The findings suggest a direct link between asymmetry correction and shooting accuracy, which agrees with similar research findings of other sports. This is a novel insight into the specific fitness demands for Trap and Skeet athletes and underscores the value of addressing asymmetries and incorporating regular assessments of these parameters in training routines, along with individually tailored corrective programs.