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Purpose <p>Biathlon, a unique combination of cross-country skiing and precision rifle shooting, offers an intriguing subject for the study of pacing behavior. We examined the impact of shooting on pacing behavior in highly trained biathletes.</p> Methods <p>Twenty senior biathletes completed one biathlon and one cross-country skiing trial on separate days in a randomized order. Both trials covered a distance of 7.5&#xa0;km (3 × 2.5&#xa0;km for women) or 10&#xa0;km (3 × 3.3&#xa0;km for men) on rollerskies. During biathlon, shooting after lap 1 (prone) and lap 2 (standing) was conducted. Time, speed profiles, heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and pre and post pacing questionnaires (4- and 6-point scales) were compared between conditions.</p> Results <p>During cross-country skiing, athletes were faster overall (mean ± 95%CI; −6.5 ± 1.2% and -1.5 ± 1.0%, including and excluding shooting, respectively), which was attributed to a reduction in speed in the last ~ 60&#xa0;s prior to shooting. No significant differences were found in HR or RPE, except after shooting. The athletes recognized the importance of shooting in their race strategy (Mdn = 5, IQR = 1.1) and reported an intentional reduction in exercise intensity before prone and standing shooting.</p> Conclusions <p>The act of shooting influences the pacing behavior in biathlon as evidenced by decrease in speed ⁓60&#xa0;s prior to shooting, while maintaining similar pacing elsewhere. Moreover, the pacing behavior align better with pre-trial goals compared to cross-country skiing. No significant differences were observed in HR or RPE during the race, suggesting that the overall effort did not differ between disciplines.</p>

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Self-regulated pacing in biathlon: how shooting impacts skiing strategy compared to cross-country skiing

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月5日

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  • Thomas Losnegard,
  • Erland Vedeler Stubbe,
  • Kandianos Emmanouil Sakalidis,
  • Magne Lund-Hansen,
  • Jan Kocbach,
  • Florentina Hettinga

摘要

Purpose

Biathlon, a unique combination of cross-country skiing and precision rifle shooting, offers an intriguing subject for the study of pacing behavior. We examined the impact of shooting on pacing behavior in highly trained biathletes.

Methods

Twenty senior biathletes completed one biathlon and one cross-country skiing trial on separate days in a randomized order. Both trials covered a distance of 7.5 km (3 × 2.5 km for women) or 10 km (3 × 3.3 km for men) on rollerskies. During biathlon, shooting after lap 1 (prone) and lap 2 (standing) was conducted. Time, speed profiles, heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and pre and post pacing questionnaires (4- and 6-point scales) were compared between conditions.

Results

During cross-country skiing, athletes were faster overall (mean ± 95%CI; −6.5 ± 1.2% and -1.5 ± 1.0%, including and excluding shooting, respectively), which was attributed to a reduction in speed in the last ~ 60 s prior to shooting. No significant differences were found in HR or RPE, except after shooting. The athletes recognized the importance of shooting in their race strategy (Mdn = 5, IQR = 1.1) and reported an intentional reduction in exercise intensity before prone and standing shooting.

Conclusions

The act of shooting influences the pacing behavior in biathlon as evidenced by decrease in speed ⁓60 s prior to shooting, while maintaining similar pacing elsewhere. Moreover, the pacing behavior align better with pre-trial goals compared to cross-country skiing. No significant differences were observed in HR or RPE during the race, suggesting that the overall effort did not differ between disciplines.