Nutritional Strategies for Olympic Biathletes: A Practical Review.

Area of Science:

• Sports Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• Biathlon Performance

Background:

• Biathlon combines high-intensity skiing with rifle shooting, demanding both aerobic capacity and fine motor skills.
• Nutritional strategies for biathletes are under-researched, often relying on recommendations for other endurance sports.
• Biathletes face extreme energy demands, exceeding 7000 kcal daily during intensive training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on biathlon nutrition.
• To identify sport-specific nutritional challenges.
• To highlight areas for future research in biathlon performance nutrition.

Main Methods:

• This study is a narrative review of existing literature on nutrition in biathlon.
• It synthesizes findings on energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient requirements.
• It discusses recovery strategies, supplementation, and potential impacts on shooting accuracy.

Main Results:

• Biathletes have very high energy needs (over 7000 kcal/day) and require 6-12 g/kg/day carbohydrates and 1.6 g/kg/day protein.
• Effective recovery involves consuming protein (0.3 g/kg) and carbohydrates (1.2 g/kg) before key sessions.
• While deficiencies are uncommon, iron and vitamin D status warrant attention, similar to other endurance athletes.

Conclusions:

• Optimal nutrition is vital for biathlon performance, supporting both endurance and shooting accuracy.
• Supplementation requires careful consideration due to potential negative effects on shooting.
• Future research should focus on a dual-performance framework assessing both physical and technical skills.