Aiming strategy affects performance‐related factors in biathlon standing shooting

Abstract

To investigate differences in shooting performance and performance related factors between the HOLD and the TIMING strategy in biathlon standing shooting. Both groups demonstrated similar shooting performance both at REST and in RACE. In HOLD, better shooting performance was related to higher holding time (HT) REST r=-0.88, p=0.001 RACE r=-0.73, p=0.016 higher aiming accuracy (COG) REST r=0.93, p<0.001 RACE r=0.72, p=0.018 (Figure 3). In TIMING, better shooting performance was related to lower mean velocity (MV) REST r=0.77, p=0.009 RACE r=0.88, p=0.001 lower absolute triggering value (ATV) REST r=0.82, p=0.003 RACE r=0.72, p=0.012 (Figure 3).

Performance‐determining factors in biathlon prone shooting without physical stress

“…As in air rifle shooting, 10 both variables were related to shooting performance in this study. In the biathlon standing shooting study, 9 both variables were related to shooting performance in biathletes using the hold strategy for aiming. In contrast, neither variable was related to performance in biathletes using the timing strategy 9 .…”

“…In the biathlon standing shooting study, 9 both variables were related to shooting performance in biathletes using the hold strategy for aiming. In contrast, neither variable was related to performance in biathletes using the timing strategy 9 . Thus, it could be suggested that biathlon prone shooting could be technically similar to the hold strategy in biathlon standing shooting and precision shooting (e.g., air rifle shooting).…”

A Biopsychosocial Framework to Guide Interdisciplinary Research on Biathlon Performance

“…Successful shots are further characterized by being fired at a specific phase of the cardiac cycle (under exercise conditions less frequently from 100 to 200 ms after the R-wave; Gallicchio et al, 2019 ). Dependent on the aiming strategy (the so-called hold vs. timing strategy), shooting accuracy is associated with more stable aiming at the center of the target and a decrease in total velocity of the rifle just before firing the shot (Köykkä et al, 2020 ). Finally, some research focused on the impact of physiological workload on shooting performance, revealing equivocal findings: Some studies showed deteriorations in shooting accuracy with increasing workload (Hoffman et al, 1992 ; Grebot et al, 2003 ; Vickers and Williams, 2007 ; Ihalainen et al, 2018 ), while other studies indicate no effects (Gallicchio et al, 2016 ; Luchsinger et al, 2016 ; Heinrich et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Over the past few decades, a growing body of biathlon-specific research considerably improved our understanding of the factors determining biathlon performance (for a review, see Laaksonen et al, 2018 ). This includes biological aspects of biathlon performance, comprising physiological parameters (e.g., Rundell and Bacharach, 1995 ; Stoeggl et al, 2015 ; Laaksonen et al, 2020 ) as well as biomechanical and motor control factors such as postural control, rifle stability, shoulder force, and triggering or aiming strategies (e.g., Groslambert et al, 1999 ; Baca and Kornfeind, 2012 ; Sattlecker et al, 2014 ; Köykkä et al, 2020 ). In addition, another branch of research focuses on psychological factors that influence performance, including the role of attentional processes (e.g., Gallicchio et al, 2016 ; Luchsinger et al, 2016 ; Heinrich et al, 2020 ), dealing with psychological pressure (e.g., Vickers and Williams, 2007 ; Lindner, 2017 ) and the effectiveness of psychological interventions (e.g., Groslambert et al, 2003 ; Laaksonen et al, 2011 ).…”

Analysis of the Stability of the Body in a Standing Position When Shooting at a Stationary Target―A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…There was little research on body stability when shooting based strictly on a group that does not conduct regular physical exertion and exercises to improve body stability. Both factors strongly correlate with the deflection amplitude [ 40 ]. The more trained the competitor is, the more experienced the shooter is, the body deflects less, the better the stability and accuracy of the shots are [ 27 , 36 , 41 ].…”