Differences in visual skills between trap and pistol shooters across shooting modality, performance level, and sex

Abstract

Vision plays a critical role in shooting sports, where even minor visual deficiencies can compromise athletic performance. Because pistol and trap shooting involve vastly different technical demands, identifying disciplinespecific visual profiles is essential for optimizing athletic preparation. This study evaluated visual capabilities across shooting modalities (trap vs. pistol), competitive performance levels (elite vs. non-elite), and sexes (male vs. female). A sample of 122 national-level shooters (69 trap, 53 pistol; 33 elite, 89 non-elite; 28 women, 94 men) completed a comprehensive battery of optometric assessments under photopic conditions. Assessments included binocular visual acuity (BVA), depth perception stereopsis (Howard-Dolman), binocular accommodation facility (BAF), and central, peripheral, and total visual recognition time (VRT). Group differences were evaluated using independent t-tests and two-way ANCOVAs with age as a covariate. Pistol shooters demonstrated superior central, peripheral, and total VRT, alongside better maximum stereopsis thresholds, whereas trap shooters achieved significantly higher BVA. Elite athletes outperformed non-elite shooters in BVA, BAF, central VRT, and total VRT. Age-adjusted ANCOVAs revealed a significant sex-bylevel interaction for BVA, where elite females performed better than non-elite females, and non-elite males outperformed non-elite females. Additionally, elite trap shooters exhibited higher BAF and central VRT compared to their non-elite counterparts, and non-elite pistol shooters displayed faster VRT than non-elite trap shooters. In conclusion, trap and pistol shooting rely on distinct visual skill profiles shaped by specific task demands. Elite shooters consistently exhibit superior visual acuity, accommodative flexibility, and visual recognition speed compared to non-elite athletes. Coaches and optometrists should implement discipline-specific visual examinations and tailored vision training programs to enhance perceptual-motor efficiency and competitive outcomes in Olympic shooting.