Indicators of physique, physical fitness and kinematic characteristics of running technique in high-class biathlete with various distance speeds in the season

Purpose. The study was aimed to compare the physique, physical fitness, and kinematics of the V1 skating technique of high-level biathlete with different average distance speeds during the competitive season.

Methods. The study involved 53 elite biathletes. Their physique and physical fitness indicators were assessed at the end of the preparatory period. The parameters of the V1 skating technique were recorded during competitions and normalized to a standard speed of 5.89 m/s. The average distance speed over the season was estimated using the regression residual from the relationship between the average race ranking and shooting accuracy.

Results. Athletes with a higher seasonal distance speed demonstrated: a shorter free glide duration and a lower ratio of glide time to push-off duration, as well as a larger knee angle at pole plant and a bigger amplitude of vertical displacement of the body’s center of mass. This group also had higher body weight and muscle mass, lower maximum anaerobic power of the leg muscles, and a tendency towards better strength and aerobic capacity during upper-body work. After matching the groups for body weight and muscle mass, all statistical differences in skating kinematics disappeared. However, in the sample of faster biathletes (with the same weight), better anaerobic threshold was recorded.

Conclusion. Biathletes with a better distance speed in competitions were characterized by lower “push-off activity” and lower horizontal speed loss per cycle, coupled with bigger vertical oscillations of the center of mass. The differences in kinematics appear to be largely determined by the difference in body and muscle mass.

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