Unstable Core Training in Air Pistol Athletes (UTCST)

Effect of Unstable Versus Stable Trunk Core Strength Training on Shooting Performance and Holding Stability in Elite 10 m Air Pistol Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of unstable versus stable trunk core strength training on shooting performance and postural stability in elite 10 m air pistol athletes. Twenty national-level athletes will be randomly assigned to either an unstable training group or a stable training group for an 8-week intervention. Both groups will perform identical core exercises with matched intensity and volume, differing only in the stability of the training surface.

Shooting performance and gun-holding stability will be assessed using a SCATT system, and postural control will be evaluated using a plantar pressure system. The results of this study may help determine whether unstable core training provides additional benefits for improving shooting accuracy and stability in elite athletes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Motor Control; Postural Stability; Sports Performance
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Unstable Trunk Core Strength Training; Behavioral: Stable Trunk Core Strength Training

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of unstable versus stable trunk core strength training on shooting performance and postural stability in elite 10 m air pistol athletes.

A total of 20 national-level athletes will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups: the unstable trunk core strength training (UTCST) group and the stable trunk core strength training (STCST) group. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated random number table, and allocation will be concealed using sealed opaque envelopes. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group assignments.

Both groups will undergo an 8-week training program with three sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes. The UTCST group will perform core strengthening exercises on unstable surfaces such as Swiss balls, BOSU balls, and balance discs, while the STCST group will perform identical exercises on stable surfaces. Training intensity, volume, and progression will be standardized between groups to ensure that surface instability is the only independent variable.

Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Shooting performance and gun-holding stability will be evaluated using the SCATT optoelectronic system, including shooting score, aiming time, 10-ring stability, and muzzle movement velocity. Postural stability will be assessed using a plantar pressure measurement system by analyzing center-of-pressure (COP) parameters such as sway area and path length.

Statistical analysis will be conducted using repeated-measures analysis of variance to examine the effects of group, time, and their interaction. A significance level of p < 0.05 will be used.

This study aims to provide evidence on whether unstable trunk core strength training offers superior benefits compared to traditional stable training for enhancing shooting performance and postural control in elite athletes.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Shanghai Municipality
    • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 200438
      • Shanghai University of Sport

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elite 10 m air pistol athletes with regular training experience
• Age between 18 and 35 years
• Minimum of 2 years of systematic shooting training
• Currently engaged in regular training (≥3 sessions per week)
• No history of musculoskeletal injury affecting performance in the past 6 months
• Able to understand and follow study procedures
• Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current or recent (within 6 months) musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting trunk or upper limb function
• History of neurological disorders or balance impairment
• Participation in other structured core strength training programs during the study period
• Use of medications that may affect neuromuscular function or performance
• Any medical condition that contraindicates participation in physical training
• Inability to comply with the study protocol

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Unstable Trunk Core Strength Training (UTCST); Participants in this group will perform trunk core strength training on unstable surfaces, including Swiss balls, BOSU balls, and balance discs. The intervention will last for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, and each session will last approximately 60 minutes. Training intensity, volume, and progression will be standardized across participants.	Behavioral: Unstable Trunk Core Strength Training; Participants will perform trunk core strength training on unstable surfaces, including Swiss balls, BOSU balls, and balance discs. The intervention will be conducted for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, and each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. Exercises will focus on improving core stability and neuromuscular control under unstable conditions. Training intensity and progression will be individualized while maintaining standardized protocols across participants.
Active Comparator: Stable Trunk Core Strength Training (STCST); Participants in this group will perform the same trunk core strength exercises as the experimental group, but on stable surfaces such as the floor or a bench. The training duration, frequency, intensity, and progression will be identical to those of the experimental group to ensure that surface stability is the only variable.	Behavioral: Stable Trunk Core Strength Training; Participants will perform the same trunk core strengthening exercises as the experimental group, but on stable surfaces such as the floor or a bench. The intervention duration, frequency, intensity, and progression will be identical to those in the unstable training group. This design ensures that the only difference between groups is the stability of the training surface.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Shooting Performance Score	Shooting performance assessed by official 10 m air pistol competition scoring system, expressed as total score (points). Higher scores indicate better performance.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Holding Stability	Holding stability measured by center of pressure (COP) sway or pistol movement trajectory during aiming phase. Lower values indicate better stability.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Core Muscle Strength	Core muscle strength assessed using standardized trunk flexion, extension, and plank endurance tests. Higher values indicate greater core strength.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Postural Stability	Postural stability measured using balance platform or center of pressure (COP) parameters. Lower sway values indicate better stability.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Trunk Muscle Activation (EMG)	Surface electromyography (EMG) used to assess activation of trunk muscles (e.g., rectus abdominis, erector spinae). Increased activation indicates improved neuromuscular control.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Aiming Stability	Aiming stability evaluated by pistol movement trajectory or aiming trace analysis during shooting. Reduced movement variability indicates better stability.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention
Fatigue Resistance	Fatigue resistance assessed by time to exhaustion during standardized core endurance tasks. Longer duration indicates better fatigue resistance.	Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Shanghai University of Sport

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 4, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 15, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): October 15, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 6, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 15, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 11, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Randomized Controlled Trial; Postural Stability; Shooting Performance; Unstable Core Training; Trunk Core Strength; Air Pistol Shooting
• Other Study ID Numbers: SUS-UTCST-2024-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy and ethical restrictions. The data contain sensitive participant information and are not publicly available. Access to the data may be considered upon reasonable request and with permission from the corresponding author and the institutional ethics committee.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No