Dysfunction of the motor system in sports shooters

Abstract

Forty three sports shooters, Czech internationals, were examined. 87 spinal blockages in 33 people was the most frequent dysfunction in these groups. Blockage of C‐Th spine (21), Th spine (22) and sacroiliac joints (SI‐19) were predominant. All 14 blockages of the atlantooccipital joint were on the right side. SI blockage was found mostly on the right too. Shortened (tightened) muscles were noticed in 18 shooters, mostly men, predominately tightened hamstrings. Weak muscles were found in 15 people, mostly women. They were predominately abdominal muscles. Scoliosis was diagnosed in 14 people. The shooters were divided into 3 groups: 19 rifle‐shooters(R), 10 who shoot at a running target (RT), and 14 pistol‐shooters (PI). The smallest number of blockages (relatively) was discovered in group RT, which might be explained by a different shooting posture and different duration of the competition. Weak abdominal muscles were found more frequently in group PI, scoliosis prevailed in group R.