What Makes an Elite Shooter and Archer? The Critical Role of Interoceptive Attention

Abstract

It is well-acknowledged that attention is important for expert performance in sports. However, the role of interoceptive attention, i.e., the attentional mechanism of awareness and conscious focus of bodily somatic and visceral signals, in self-paced and far-aiming sports remains to be explored. This study aims to investigate the relationship of expertise level and interoceptive attention ability in shooting and archery, and to examine if interoceptive attention can be improved by mindfulness training in elite athletes of shooting and archery. We tested the performance differences of 41 elite athletes from the Chinese national team of shooting and archery and 43 non-elite athletes from a provincial team in breath detection task (BDT) and dot flash detection task (DDT), which were designed to measure interoceptive and exteroceptive attention (i.e., attention toward information input of primary sensory), respectively. Furthermore, we applied mindfulness training to the 41 elite athletes for 5–8 weeks and remeasured their performances of BDT and DDT. Results showed that elite athletes outperformed non-elite athletes in BDT (but not in DDT) both in accuracy (DiffBDT = 11.50%, p = 0.004) and in discrimination sensitivity (d′, DiffBDT = 1.159, p = 0.002). Difference in accuracy and d′ reached significant level only in BDT (accuracy: DiffBDT = −8.50%, p = 0.001; d′: DiffBDT = −0.822, p = 0.003) before and after mindfulness training. These results indicate that elite athletes of shooting and archery (i.e., relative to non-elite athletes) can better perceive the somatic and visceral responses or changes and discriminate these signals from noises. Moreover, interoceptive attention can be improved by mindfulness training. These results have important implications for the selection and training of athletes of shooting and archery.

Alternating Attention and Physical Fitness in Relation to the Level of Combat Training

“…Despite the lack of similar studies on the relationship between AA and level of CT, mainly cadet SA, our results correspond with other studies in archery [ 46 ] and sport shooting athletes [ 16 ]. The results of these studies provided preliminary evidence for the importance of interoceptive attention in shooting sports and archery [ 46 ], and significant narrowing of attention and higher levels of alertness were observed in experienced pistol shooters [ 16 ]. However, comparisons with self-reported studies should be made with caution because there are important differences in shooting conditions.…”

Improving Mental Skills in Precision Sports by Using Neurofeedback Training: A Narrative Review

“…Recently, a study examined the effect of theta wave power based on Frontal Midline Theta Power (FMT) training in elite biathletes [ 64 ]. The aim of the contribution was to determine whether neurofeedback training could increase FMT power and, consequently, shooting performance and attentional focus in biathletes.…”

“…The authors of the study suggested that training with neurofeedback temporarily increased FMT but did not lead to significant improvements in shooting performance. However, the results showed a small positive effect on attentional focus, and more experienced athletes showed that they were able to make the most of neurofeedback training to increase their FMT, but not their shooting performance [ 64 ]. A moment of distraction or a technical error can have a significant impact on the expected outcome, and mental preparation for managing anxiety in shooting sports requires impeccable concentration and consistency [ 59 ].…”

Physics Application in Traditional Archery: Sight-lines Method for Aiming Using a Traditional Bow

“…At the other time, this tool became vital to showing superiority across society [4] . In modern times, this tool still holds a vital role as an advanced sport [5] and cultural manifestation [6] . Archery has become an essential branch of sports competitions [7] .…”