| 1. |
- Björklund, Glenn, 1972-, et al.
(author)
-
The balancing act between skiing and shooting – the determinants of success in biathlon pursuit and mass start events
- 2022
-
In: Journal of Sports Sciences. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0264-0414 .- 1466-447X. ; 40:1, s. 96-103
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study aimed to investigate how skiing speed (SS), number of missed targets (MT) and range time (RT) were associated with final rank in biathlon pursuit and mass start competitions. Data were collected from the International Biathlon Union’s database over 17 seasons. Biathletes were categorised into three groups (rank 1–3, G3; rank 4–10, G10; rank 11–20, G20). Multinomial regression was used to identify odds ratios associated with group rank in both sexes. The only variable found to be consistently related to G3 in both pursuit and mass start was MT (men OR 1.206–1.729 and women OR 1.340–3.124, all p < 0.01). SS during lap four of pursuit and mass start was most strongly related to G3 for both sexes (men OR 0.231–0.094 and women OR 0.339–0.126, all p < 0.001). RT during shooting four in pursuit was most strongly related to G3 compared to G10 and G20 (men OR 1.067; 95% CI, 1.030–1.105 and women OR 1.076; 95% CI, 1.020–1.134, all p < 0.001, respectively). Accordingly, MT was most strongly related to final rank in both sexes, while SS during lap four and last RT was also significant.
|
|
| 2. |
- Björklund, Glenn, 1972-, et al.
(author)
-
The Determinants of Performance in Biathlon World Cup Sprint and Individual Competitions
- 2022
-
In: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2624-9367. ; 4:March, s. 1-9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the association of skiing speed (SS), range time (RT), and the number of missed targets (MT) with rank in sprint and individual biathlon competitions.Methods: Data were collected from the International Biathlon Union's database for 17 seasons (2002/2003–2018/2019). Furthermore, the biathletes were divided into three rank groups (G3, rank 1–3; G10, rank 4–10; and G20, rank 11–20). Multinominal regression was used to detect odds ratios associated with group rank for both sexes, separately.Results: MT was the only variable that was constantly related to G3 (OR 1.90–6.35, all p < 0.001) for both women and men. SS was associated with G3 in the last lap in the sprint for both sexes (OR 0.46–0.66, all p < 0.001) and RT for standing shooting (OR 1.04–1.14, all p < 0.05).Conclusion: These results show that shooting is the fundamental factor for performance in both competitions, but that SS is increasingly important for the last lap in the sprint for both sexes. Further, a fast RT in the standing shooting for women in individual and men in the sprint seems important for improving final rank.
|
|
| 3. |
- Brandts, Maxime, et al.
(author)
-
The effect of rifle carriage on skiing performance and angular kinematics in biathletes
- 2022
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimTo assess the effect of rifle carriage on skiing performance and angular kinematics in biathletes,and whether the rifle’s effect on angular kinematics could explain its effect on skiing performance, under ecologically valid conditions.MethodsTwenty-nine biathletes (11 females, 18 males) performed two maximum effort skiing time-trials on snow, once with and once without rifle. During time-trials, biathletes wore a three-dimensional motion analysis system to measure maximum angle, minimum angle and range of motion of knee, hip and elbow flexion. A two-way mixed model analysis of variance and multilevel linear model were used to assess the effect of rifle carriage on skiing performance and angular kinematics respectively. In case of a significant effect, a Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the relation between the rifle’s effect on the respective angular measure and the rifle’s effect on skiing speed.ResultsSkiing performance was impaired with rifle compared to without rifle (P<.001; ƞ2p=0.04). No effect of rifle carriage was observed on any angular measure, except for maximum elbow flexion(P=.03; Cohen f 2<0.01). Maximum elbow flexion was reduced with rifle compared to without rifle (mean difference 11.9±37.6°). Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a positive correlation between the rifle’s effect on maximum elbow flexion and its effect on skiing speed (r=0.19; P=.04).Practical applicationThe results demonstrate the negative impact of rifle carriage on biathlon skiing performance and suggest that maximum elbow flexion plays a role. Therefore, upper body contributions, elbow flexion angles in particular, might be of interest for biathlon coaches.
|
|
| 4. |
- Dzhilkibaeva, Natalya, et al.
(author)
-
Can performance in biathlon world cup be predicted by performance analysis of biathlon IBU cup?
- 2019
-
In: International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2474-8668 .- 1474-8185. ; 19:5, s. 856-865
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biathlon performance consists of skiing speed, shooting accuracy (ShAcc) and shooting time (ShT). For coaches, the evaluation of the performance level of biathletes to select biathletes to particular competitions is crucial. The present study aimed to compare two different approaches to analyse biathletes’ skiing performance (relative skiing speed, SS%, and skiing time coefficient, STC), and to analyse the relationship between different parameters of performance between two competition levels (World Cup, WC and IBU Cup, IC). The data from four competitive seasons were analysed including 166 male and 184 female biathletes. The correlation between SS% in IC and WC was similar for both sexes (males r = .81; females r = .78) compared to correlation between STC in IC and WC (males r = .80; females r = .75) (p < .001), whereas the mean absolute percentage error was higher for STC (1.2% and 1.8% vs. 18% and 22%). SS%, ShAcc and ShT in IC explained 54% and 45% (p < .001) of the entire WC rank for males and females, respectively. Thus, SS% is recommended to be used for evaluation of biathletes’ skiing performance. To predict the performance in WC from results in IC should be used with caution.
|
|
| 5. |
- Fasel, Benedikt, et al.
(author)
-
Trajectory matching by low-cost GNSS allows continuous time comparisons during cross country skiing
- 2018
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In most endurance sports, including cross-country (XC) skiing, the fastest athlete wins the race. Successful performance requires an optimal pacing strategy i.e., effective distribution of work and energy throughout a race (Abbiss & Laursen, 2008). For any given lap of a race, no more than a few split times are usually available, due to the complex logistics of setting up a timing system. However, optimal tracking of pacing (speed) during a race requires determination of more split times at regular and shorter intervals. For example, a high-end Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can be used to easily obtain a high number of split times based on a comparison of positions (Andersson et al., 2010; Supej & Holmberg, 2011). Accordingly, the aim here was to determine whether comparison of position at onemeter intervals using a standard GNSS gives reliable split times during XC skiing.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Ihalainen, Simo, et al.
(author)
-
Technical determinants of biathlon standing shooting performance before and after race simulation
- 2018
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. - : Wiley. - 0905-7188 .- 1600-0838. ; 28:6, s. 1700-1707
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to identify performance determining factors in biathlon standing shooting in rest and after intense exercise. Eight Finnish national and nine junior team biathletes participated in the study. Participants fired 40 resting shots (REST) and 2*5 competition simulation shots (LOAD) after 5 min of roller skiing at 95% of peak heart rate. Hit percentage, aiming point trajectory and postural balance were measured from each shot. Cleanness of triggering (ATV, movement of the aiming point 0-0.2 s before the shot) and vertical stability of hold (DevY) were the most important components affecting shooting performance both in REST (DevY, R=-0.61, p<0.01; ATV, R=-0.65, p<0.01) and in LOAD (DevY, R=-0.50, p<0.05; ATV, R=-0.77, p<0.001). Postural balance, especially in shooting direction, was related to DevY and ATV. Stability of hold in horizontal (F(1,15)=7.025, p<0.05) and vertical (F(1,15)=21.285, p<0.001) directions, aiming accuracy (F(1,15)=9.060, p<0.01), and cleanness of triggering (F(1,15)=59.584, p<0.001) decreased from REST to LOAD, accompanied by a decrease in postural balance. National and junior team biathletes differed only in hit percentage in REST (92±8 % vs. 81±8 %, p<0.05) and left leg postural balance in shooting direction in LOAD (0.31±0.18 mm vs. 0.52±0.20 mm, p<0.05), and the intense exercise affected the shooting technical components similarly in both national and junior groups. Biathletes should focus on cleanness of triggering and vertical stability of hold in order to improve biathlon standing shooting performance. More stable postural balance in shooting direction could help to improve these shooting technical components.
|
|
| 8. |
- Jones, Thomas W., et al.
(author)
-
Using multivariate data analysis to project performance in biathletes and cross-country skiers
- 2022
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previous research has indicated that pacing strategies within biathlon are influenced by terrain. However, it is not known if biathletes shooting performance within competition influences any pacing strategies employed. As such, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of shooting performance on skiing speed and pacing strategies within sprint and individual competitionin elite female biathletes. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and heart data were collected during the female sprint and individual competitions of the 2019 IBU World Championships. Eight female biathletes (age 27 ± 2 years, IBU points 45 ± 18) competing in the sprint and individual events of the 2019 IBU World Championships volunteered and gave their written informed consent to participate in the study. Statistical analyses were conducted on shooting bout accuracy and speed and GNSS data to determine whether the accuracy and speed of the shooting bout influenced skiing speed in the subsequent lap of the race. No significant differences in skiing speed nor pacing strategies were observed subsequent to accurate or inaccurate shooting bouts, furthermore no significant differences in skiing speed were observed subsequent to fast or slow shooting bouts. As such, it appears in the biathletes assessed here, skiing speed and pacing was independent of shooting performance, although this was observed in a small sample of female biathletes.
|
|
| 9. |
- Jones, Thomas W., et al.
(author)
-
Using Multivariate Data Analysis to Project Performance in Biathletes and Cross-Country Skiers
- 2023
-
In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. - : Human Kinetics. - 1555-0265 .- 1555-0273. ; 18:8, s. 840-851
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To determine whether competitive performance, as defined by International Biathlon Union (IBU) and International Ski Federation (FIS) points in biathlon and cross-country (XC) skiing, respectively, can be projected using a combination of anthropometric and physiological metrics. Shooting accuracy was also included in the biathlon models. Methods: Data were analyzed using multivariate methods from 45 (23 female and 22 male) biathletes and 202 (86 female and 116 male) XC skiers who were all members of senior national teams, national development teams, or ski-university or high school invite-only programs (age range: 16-36 y). Anthropometric and physiological characteristics were assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and incremental roller-ski treadmill tests, respectively. Shooting accuracy was assessed via an outdoor standardized testing protocol. Results: Valid projective models were identified for female biathletes' IBU points (R2 = .80/ Q2 = .65) and female XC skiers' FIS distance (R2 = .81/Q2 = .74) and sprint (R2 = .81/Q2 = .70) points. No valid models were identified for the men. The most important variables for the projection of IBU points were shooting accuracy, speeds at blood lactate concentrations of 4 and 2 mmol center dot L-1, peak aerobic power, and lean mass. The most important variables for the projection of FIS distance and sprint points were speeds at blood lactate concentrations of 4 and 2 mmol center dot L-1 and peak aerobic power. Conclusions: This study highlights the relative importance of specific anthropometric, physiological, and shooting-accuracy metrics in female biathletes and XC skiers. The data can help to identify the specific metrics that should be targeted when monitoring athletes' progression and designing training plans.
|
|
| 10. |
- Jonsson Kårström, Malin, et al.
(author)
-
Effects of Additional Rifle-Carriage Training on Physiological Markers and Roller-Skiing Performance in Well-Trained Biathletes
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise. - : Springer. - 2662-1371 .- 2096-6709. ; 3:3, s. 292-302
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe purpose was to investigate whether an increased amount of training while carrying the rifle affects skiing in well-trained biathletes at submaximal and maximal workloads during a pre-season period lasting a minimum of 12 weeks.MethodsSeventeen well-trained biathletes (9 females, 8 males) were assigned to an intervention (IG, n = 10) or control (CG, n = 7) group. Before (T1) and after (T2) the training intervention all participants performed, using treadmill roller-skiing, a submaximal test without the rifle on one day and two submaximal workloads and a maximal time trial (TT) with the rifle on a subsequent day. Between T1 and T2 all participants performed a minimum of 12 weeks of normal training, the only difference between groups being that IG performed more of their training sessions carrying the rifle.ResultsIG performed more training compared to CG (15.4 ± 1.1 vs. 11.2 ± 2.6 h/week, P < 0.05), including a higher amount of training with the rifle (3.1 ± 0.6 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 h/week, P < 0.001). Speed at 4 mmol/L of blood lactate increased significantly for CG from T1 to T2 (P = 0.028), while only tended to increase for IG (P = 0.058). Performance during the TT, VO2max and the aerobic metabolic rate increased significantly from T1 to T2, although the differences disappeared when including the speed at baseline as a covariate.ConclusionAccording to the present results, increasing training while carrying the rifle by 2 h/week does not appear to improve skiing performance in well-trained biathletes. In addition, physiological markers at submaximal and maximal intensities while carrying the rifle were not affected after the training intervention.
|
|
