Anthropometry and Shooting

While skill is undoubtedly the most important facor in the success of a shooter, fitness and body size and shape can also be important. Body shape can affect balance and excess body fat increases fatigue, and having certain segment lengths may aid in the mechanics of shooting.

Suggested Anthropometric tests for Shooter

• skinfold testing for measuring excess body fat.
• body weight to monitor body fat and muscle mass changes.
• hand span — to measure hand size

Anthropometry and Olympic Shooting Sports

London 2012 Olympic Games

Here is some information from the analysis of the anthropometric data (height, weight and age) from the shooting participants at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Shooters were shorter than the average Olympian, but of similar average weight.

a shooter from the USA at the Olympics

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Here is average data from the analysis of the anthropometric data of the shooters at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.