Talent Detection and Competitive Progress in Biathlon - A National Example

Abstract

<jats:title>Talent Detection and Competitive Progress in Biathlon - A National Example</jats:title><jats:p>The main purpose of this study was to explain later years' success among Swedish biathletes. Sportive talent is regarded an interactional process within the frame of Bronfenbrenner's ecological model for human development. The national team (the elite group) consisting of 13 individuals was investigated along with a control group - matched in pairs in variables age, sex and athletic performance. All athletes were graduates from the upper secondary education sport schools (RIG sport academies). Data was collected via interviews and observations during training and world cup competitions. Based on quadruples of a year elite biathletes were more often born early in a year compared to controls. Hence, the prevailing system for division in competition classes based on age during adolescence could favour early developers. The elite group athletes revealed more positive experiences from sport academy years - in particular concerning the acting and behaviour of coaches in terms of individualisation in training and reciprocity in communication. Furthermore, controls were more often injured and experienced greater difficulties to carry out sufficient training. The results indicate the negative impact of competition classes based on age per se during adolescence and competence issues referring to sport academy coaches.</jats:p>

A case study of the features and holistic athlete impacts of a UK sports-friendly school: Student-athlete, coach and teacher perspectives

“…Student-athletes at “Salkeld High” developed friendships and social skills through being part of a team, ‘hanging out’ with people from a range of backgrounds, having opportunities to speak in public, adapting to many different social situations as well as interacting with adults from a young age. The social opportunity is supported by research that has shown that sports participation provides opportunities for student-athletes to make friends (e.g., [ 64 ]) and develop social life skills (e.g., teamwork, emotional skills, interpersonal communication, social skills, leadership; [ 65 , 66 ]). Further, “Salkeld High” attracted a large pool of talented student-athletes who acted as roles models, facilitating a learning community environment, driving performance development, responsibility and leadership.…”

Differences in Physical Fitness Profiles of Athletes in Cyclic Activities (Running, Cycling, Biathlon)

“…An important consideration in endurance training is the efficient distribution of exercise intensity, duration, and frequency [30][31][32]. In biathlon, sports mastery is highly dependent on sliding speed, and accurate and fast shooting [33][34][35]. High sports mastery is affected by athletic and technical fitness, functional capacity, age and years of sports experience [36].…”

Differences in Anthropometric Characteristics and Body Composition of Athletes in Cyclic Endurance-Type Activities: A Case Study

“…An important consideration in endurance training is the efficient distribution of exercise intensity, duration, and frequency (Sandbakk, Hegge, Losnegard, Skattebo, Tønnessen, Holmberg, 2016;Aagaard, Andersen, 2010, Kim, Han, Lee, Choi, 2021. In biathlon sports mastery is highly dependent on sliding speed, accurate and fast shooting (Cholewa et al, 2005;Carlson, 2011;Kočergina, Čepulenas, 2012). High sports mastery is affected by athletic and technical fitness, functional capacity, age and years of sports experience (Cholewa et al, 2005;Psotta et al, 2009;Carlson, 2011).…”

“…In biathlon sports mastery is highly dependent on sliding speed, accurate and fast shooting (Cholewa et al, 2005;Carlson, 2011;Kočergina, Čepulenas, 2012). High sports mastery is affected by athletic and technical fitness, functional capacity, age and years of sports experience (Cholewa et al, 2005;Psotta et al, 2009;Carlson, 2011). Skiing technique and sliding speed in the distance depend on body composition indices (Mahvod et al, 2001).…”