Effects of military exercise tasks and a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink on rifle shooting performance in two shooting positions

Abstract

The effect of exercise, consumption of a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink and shooting position (standing vs. prone) on marksmanship accuracy and sighting time were measured in 27 experienced marksmen. Participants ‘dry-fired’ a laser equipped rifle simulator system at a 2.3 cm circular target at a distance of 5 m. Marksmanship was assessed under the following conditions: (1) at rest; (2) after completing a 14.7 km road march (10.4 km with a 21 kg pack); and (3) after a combined timed rock climb and 700 m uphill run. The road march reduced marksmanship accuracy and sighting time ( p < 0.05) while the climb and uphill run did not affect marksmanship. Consumption of a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink did not preserve marksmanship accuracy after exercise. Shooting prone was significantly more accurate and faster than shooting from the standing position ( p < 0.05). The effects of drinking a carbohydrate-electrolyte drink and performing heavy work on a subsequent fine motor-visual vigilance type task was studied. Implications are for the military, but also for industries whose work involves tasks that are both physically demanding and require precision (e.g. linemen working for the telephone company climbing a pole and then cutting a small single wire).