What happens to precision and accuracy skills under stress at 115 BPM?

Under stress, particularly at elevated heart rates like 115 beats per minute, precision and accuracy in shooting can become diminished. Stress affects the body's physiological state, leading to increased adrenaline production which can heighten reactions but also introduce negative impacts on fine motor skills and decision-making abilities.

When an individual is under stress, their focus may shift from precision—hitting a specific target—toward merely coping with the stressor, which can lead to quicker but less careful shots. Higher heart rates often cause a variety of bodily effects, such as tremors or impaired vision, which can reduce overall shooting performance. As a result, both precision (the ability to hit the same spot consistently) and accuracy (the ability to hit the intended target) are likely to suffer under these conditions.

Understanding this relationship can help shooters and instructors design training scenarios that simulate stress, allowing for practice under similar conditions to improve performance and to develop strategies for maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.