From Physical Capacities to Shooting Performance: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework for Sport-Specific Assessment in 10 m Air Rifle Shooting

Abstract

Study purpose. This systematic review aimed to identify and critically synthesize evidence on physical capacities and regulatory mechanisms related to postural control, technical execution, and performance in 10 m air rifle shooting, and to refine an assessment-oriented conceptual framework.

Materials and methods. PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from database inception to 13 and 14 August 2026, respectively. After exact deduplication, 588 unique records were screened. Evidence was classified as direct air-rifle (Tier 1), closely related rifle/biathlon (Tier 2), or indirect precision-shooting evidence (Tier 3). Risk of bias was appraised qualitatively using design-specific JBI criteria, and heterogeneous findings were synthesized narratively and thematically in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-S reporting principles.

Results. Eighty-one reports were included in the qualitative synthesis. Direct evidence most consistently supported stability of hold, aiming accuracy, and trigger control as performance-related technical variables. Postural regulation showed mixed direct relationships with score but more consistent links with weapon/hold stability, supporting its role as a functional bridge. Direct air-rifle evidence for core endurance, upper-limb/scapular capacity, and mobility was limited and relied mainly on indirect evidence. Physiological and psychophysiological variables showed context-dependent effects and were better interpreted as modifiers. Twenty-four included reports were judged to have high methodological concern and the remainder had some concerns.

Conclusions. The evidence supports an assessment pathway in which candidate physical capacities contribute to task-specific postural regulation, which supports technical execution and, in turn, shooting outcomes. Physiological and psychophysiological factors are positioned as modifiers rather than equivalent direct determinants. The framework is evidence-informed but not yet a validated predictive model; future studies should test its proposed assessment domains directly in 10 m air rifle athletes.