BIATHLON
Winter Olympics: What is biathlon?


Complex overall performance
•Skiing speed
•Range time
•Shooting time
•Shooting performance
Biathlon is the nerdiest Winter Olympics sport and you should watch it
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Frontiers in Physiology
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Journal of Sport and Health Science

Skiing
•Heart rate 90% of maximal HR
•High VO2max, lactate treshold, gross efficiency (energy used and mechanical work) essential for
successful performance
•Flat, uphill, downhill à demands frequent change of techniques
•Endurance athletes
•Track profile, snow conditions, altitude, ski preparations
•
Legendary Ole Einar Bjorndalen faces uphill battle to make seventh Olympic team - Eurosport
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Frontiers in Physiology
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Journal of Sport and Health Science

Shooting
Summer Biathlon at Crosscut — Crosscut Mountain Sports Center
•Heart rate 60% of maximal HR
•25-30s shooting range and shooting time
•Shooting techniques demands extensive fine-motor control
•Body sway: specific balance training
•Weather conditions (especially wind)
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Frontiers in Physiology
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Journal of Sport and Health Science

Training
•700-900 hours physical training a year
•Endurance training
• - 80% low intensity
• - 4-5% moderate intensity
• - 5-6% high intensity
•10% strength and speed training
•May-November 60-70%
•December-April 30-40%
Now accepting applications for GRPSki & Biathlon 21-22 and U23Ski Summer Training — Craftsbury
Outdoor Center
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Frontiers in Physiology

Coaches Corner- Into to Roller Skiing - Teacup Lake Nordic Club Your mountain bike, e-bike and road
bike holiday Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024 | Switchback Travel


Speed and strength training
How Olympic Biathlete Deedra Irwin Spends Her “Off Season”
•Speed: 10-20 sprints at maximal intensity with 2-3 min recovery
•Strength: movement-specific training of maximal upper body strength improves skating techniques
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Frontiers in Physiology
Wagner et al., 2024

Training shooting
BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon in Nove Mesto na Morave 2015 (02/2015).
•Ressembling competition conditions (ex. against each other, time pressure)
•60% combined with endurance training
•40% at rest (accuracy, speed)
Laaksonen et al., 2018, in Frontiers in Physiology

Injuries and illness
•Little research
•40.5% injury rate of slight to minimal severity
•More injuries in female athletes:
• - Lower back: rifle, static muscle contraction while shooting standing
• - Knee: not from skiing, off-season, running
What is biathlon? Explaining origin, rules, history of Winter Olympic event that blends shooting,
skiing | Sporting News
Blut et al., 2010

Sources
•Blut, D., Santer, S., Carrabre, J. & Manfredini, F. (2010). Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal
Injuries Among Elite Biathletes: A Preliminary Study. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 20(4).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45097483_Epidemiology_of_Musculoskeletal_Injuries_Among_El
ite_Biathletes_A_Preliminary_Study
•Laaksonen, M. S., Finkenzeller, T., Holmberg, H. & Sattlecker, G. (2018). The influence of
physiobiomechanical parameters, technical aspects of shooting, and psychophysiological factors on
biathlon performance: A review. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 7(4).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618300760?via%3Dihub
•Laaksonen, M. S., Jonsson, M. & Holmberg, H. (2018). The Olympic Biathlon – Recent Advances and
Perspectives After Pyeongchang. Frontiers in Physiology, 9.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.00796/full
•Wagner, C., Sandbakk, Ø., Röhrs, D., Schiemann, S., Schmidt, T. & Keiner, M. (2024). High-Volume
Resistance Training Improves Double-Poling Peak Oxygen Uptake in Youth Elite Cross-Country Skiers
and Biathletes: A Pilot Study. Applied sciences, 14(7). https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/7/2774
•