The Characteristics of Elite Biathletes Shooting Parameters in the 2013-2014 World Cup and Sochi Olympic Games

Abstract

The aim of the research was to establish the characteristics of biathletes shooting parameters in the World Cup of 2013-2014 and Sochi Olympic Games. Aiming to achieve this goal athletes from various countries (male, n=88) who had received valid points in Biathlon World Cup were selected. Technical protocols of World Biathlon Cup (2013-2014) and Sochi Olympic Games (2014) as well as detailed shooting protocols were used for the data analysis. To assess shooting data of elite biathletes, parameters of accuracy at readiness in prone and standing positions (%) of season 2013-2014 were analysed; parameters of individual and sprint races shooting cycle (time duration to the first shot (s), time duration between shots (s), time duration between loading the rifle and leaving shooting stand, total shooting time (s)) were established as well as the analysis of inaccurate shoots indices was performed during this research. In total 1310 shootings (655 prone and 655 standing readiness positions) were analysed. The results of the study were processed with SPSS 22.0 for Windows software. The accepted level of significance was p<0,05. After analysing shooting results of the elite biathletes, it was determined that accuracy indices at readiness in prone position at the average reach 85,3±5.94 % (from 63,8 % to 95,8 %) and accuracy indices at readiness in standing position at the average reach 79,1±6,33 (from 62,0 % to 92,5 %). Total athletes’ shooting accuracy reached 82,1±5,03 % (from 67,5 % to 90,9 %).The research revealed that even elite athletes were specific with wide spread of shooting accuracy, especially in shooting at readiness in standing position (V–40,1). Elite biathletes during sprint and individual race shooting at readiness in prone position made their first shot on average in 16,2 s, their second to fifth shots were made in intervals every 2,6–2,8 s. Total time of shooting at readiness in prone position was 30,7±4,12 s. When shooting at readiness in standing position, athletes made their first shot on average in 13,7 s, their second to fifth shots were made in intervals every 2,4–2,5 s. Total time of shooting at readiness in standing position was 25,9±3,12 s. The spread of shooting times is not wide. When assessing the data of individual and sprint races, athletes’ preparation for shooting, and every shot execution, it was estimated that athletes prepared faster and executed the first shot (p<0,001) and other shots when in standing rather than in prone position. During individual race biathletes make their first shot slower and all other four shots faster when shooting in prone position compared to sprint. While shooting in standing position all the shots are made faster in individual race rather than sprint. After studying the data of inaccurate competition shots, it was determined that athletes, when shooting at readiness in prone position, executed more inaccurate shots to the first target (p<0,05), compared to next shots, while shooting at readiness in standing position, executed more inaccurate shots to the fifth, i.e., the last, target (p<0,05). The shooting accuracy of Lithuanian Olympic Team members T.K. is very similar and has no significant statistical differences compared to the average accuracy of elite athletes during the World Cup of 2013-2014 and Sochi Olympic Games. T.K. accuracy at readiness in prone position was 90,1 % while accuracy at readiness in standing position was 70,3%. Total accuracy of T.K. shooting on average was 81,5 %. However the time of shooting in prone position of T.K. is faster (p<0,05) and the time of shooting in standing position has no such statistical importance. Average time of shooting at the readiness in prone position was 27,8 s, while in standing position – 27,7 s. Keywords: biathlon, shooting accuracy, shooting time. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15823/sm.2015.15