Introduction: Shooting is an activity that people have known for a very long time. It is divided into combat, hunting and sport shooting. Concentration, accuracy, precision and good stability are very important in sport shooting. The feet are the only part of the body in contact with the ground in most shooting positions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of foot type and footwear on performance of sport shooting with an air pistol. Methods: Descriptive and experimental methods were used in this study. Fourteen shooters with an air pistol participated in the study. We analyzed footprints using the Staheli index and the Clarke`s angle and took measurements using the Scatt system during shooting with and without footwear. Results: The values of the Staheli index ranged from 0.0 and 0.93. Flat foot was found in 21.4%, normal in 57.1% and high arched in 21.4% of the subjects. Clarke`s angle values ranged from 24° to 56°. According to the size of the angle, a flat foot was determined in 25%, a normal in 60.7% and a high arched in 14.3% of the subjects. The results of the paired samples t-test showed no statistically significant effect of footwear on any shooting parameter (p = 0.221 – 0.903). The mean values of Clarke`s angle for both feet showed statistically significant differences with the results of the amplitude of the weapon movement when shooting with footwear (F = 6,288; p = 0,016). The differences were proved to be statistically significant between the group of subjects with a normal and a high arched foot. The mean values of the Staheli index for the left foot showed statistically significant differences in the uniformity of shooting rhythm without footwear (F = 4,120; p = 0,047) between subjects with a flat and high arched foot. The amplitude of weapon movement showed good positive correlation between shooting with and without footwear (r = 0,833; n = 14; p = <0,001). Discussion and conclusion: We proved that footwear has no influence on air pistol shooting performance. However, most shooting variables are influenced by foot type. Therefore, we recommend further research in this area on a larger sample investigating the influence of orthopedic insoles on performance in sport shooting.
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