INTRODUCTION: Biathlon is a complex sport combining cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The competition results are determined by the skiing time, shooting time, and shooting accuracy. The shooting performance in turn depends on postural balance, rifle stability, triggering behavior, and forces on the shoulder and sling in standing and prone positions (Laaksonen et al., 2018; Sattlecker et al., 2017). Our research on these variables, conducted for over 20 years in both shooting positions, provides athletes with a personalized strengths-weaknesses profile and recommendations to improve their shooting performance. METHODS: We employ a range of measuring devices, including a custom-made 2-part force platform to quantify body sway (COP) during standing and prone shooting. Triggering behavior is measured using a strain gauge force transducer (oil sensor) mounted on the trigger (Spezialmesstechnik Ilmenau, Ilmenau). Rifle stability is determined using an infrared system Noptel Sport 2 (Noptel, Oulu), while the force of the rifle stock in the back shoulder is quantified using a pad placed at the backside of the rifle using the Pedar mobile system (Novel GmbH, Munich). The tension on the sling is measured by a load cell (Futek, Irvine). Shooting scores are recorded by the computer-controlled display system Meyton MF5R1 (Meyton Electronics, Melle-Bruchmühlen). RESULTS: The results in different athletes, from beginners to Olympic medal winners, indicate that the body sway in the anterior-posterior direction for standing shooting and the vertical rifle sway for prone shooting are two main performance determining factors in biathlon shooting. Moreover, we observed a strong correlation between body and rifle sway, and rifle forces in the back shoulder decreased after physical exertion. In younger athletes, triggering values decreased after high-intensity skiing, while elite athletes were able to maintain their level. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the importance of utilizing these diagnostics to improve the shooting technique of biathletes. The measure station has been proven effective in terms of rifle fitting and adaptation. Especially in young athletes, feedback training on the diagnostic station has significantly improvement biomechanical factors determining shooting performance. REFERENCES: Laaksonen, M.S. et al., 2018. J Sport Health Sci Sattlecker, G. et al., 2017. Int J Sports Physiol Perform
© Copyright 2023 9th International Congress on Science and Skiing, March 18 - 22, 2023, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. Veröffentlicht von University of Salzburg. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.