title: Autonomic response to tactical pistol performance measured by heart rate variability.
abstract: This study evaluated changes in autonomic tone during a tactical pistol competition. At rest and during a match, heart rate variability (HRV) was examined in 28 healthy subjects. Heart rate variability time-domain variables (including interbeat interval [IBI]) and frequency-domain variables (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], total power [TP]) measured during shooting were subtracted from those measured during rest to produce Δs. The shooting task involved several, rapid tactical maneuvers. Raw time to completion and inaccurate shots (points down [PDs]) were recorded and combined to form a match score where lower values indicated superior shooting performance. Mean (±SD) raw time was 135.9 ± 34.1 seconds, PDs were 78 ± 34, and match score was 175.3 ± 39.8. Shooting decreased IBI (i.e., increased heart rate) and LF. ΔLF, ΔHF, and ΔTP were independent of ΔIBI. Raw time was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) correlated to shooting IBI (r = 0.404) and ΔIBI (r = -0.426). Points down were significantly correlated to ΔTP (r = 0.416) and ΔLF (r = 0.376). Match score was significantly correlated to ΔIBI (r = -0.458), ΔHF (r = 0.467), ΔLF (r = 0.377), and ΔTP (r = 0.451). In conclusion, individuals with a greater decrease in IBI (and thus heart rate) performed better by accomplishing the match faster. Individuals with less change in stress-related HRV measures (LF, HF, and TP) performed better through improved accuracy. Thus, HRV-derived sympathetic response is significantly related to shooting performance and should be used to assess marksmanship effectiveness under duress.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Human Movement Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia; and 2Department of Education, Glenville State College, Glenville, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: J David
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Branch
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: Carmine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Grieco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors