IBU promotes five Universities

The IBU decided to promote five Universities within the IBU Research Grant Programme 2022/23. The AECC University, the Mid Sweden University, the Nord University, the Norwegian School of Sport Science, and the Federal Institute of Sport in Magglingen will therefore accomplish research projects in the field of biathlon.

In April 2022, the IBU Research Grant Working Group, consisting of well-known experts in sports science and winter sports, decided to promote the five mentioned institutions. In June 2022, the IBU Executive Board followed the decision to support these five research groups with a total amount of 50.000 Euros.

In its research project, the AECC University College (GBR) will focus on psychophysiological interventions in biathlon. The research group from the Mid Sweden University (SWE) will analyze the application and utility of wearable sensors for athlete monitoring in biathlon. The focus of the Nord University (NOR) will be on the development process from junior to elite biathletes.

The researchers from the Norwegian School of Sports Science (NOR) will highlight the effect of pacing strategies in biathlon. Finally, the Federal Institute of Sport in Magglingen (SUI) focuses on the energy availability profiling and development of Swiss elite biathletes.

"We are happy to see that the interest in the IBU Research Grant is constantly growing and that we are able to support five projects of high quality in different scientific fields. The results of these research projects will be provided to our National Federations to promote their daily work in biathlon", said IBU Development Director Dagmara Gerasimuk.

In the first cycle (2021/22), the IBU supported the Universities of Montana (USA), Jyväskylä (FIN), Turku (FIN) and Kattowice (POL). By the end of June 2022, the IBU will receive the final reports of these projects.

The Research Grant Programme aims to promote advanced research with a biathlon perspective by established researchers in priority fields of research identified annually by the IBU.

The IBU Research Grant Working Group consists of:

• Prof. Oyvind Sandbakk (NOR) – Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim – Professor of Neuromedicine and Movement Science

• Prof. Barbara Pellegrini (ITA) – University of Verona – Assistant Professor for Sport Science and Methodology

• Dr Sarah Dentry (CAN) – Expert on High Performance in terms of Physiological, Psychological, and Biological Components of Resiliency and Thriving

• Dr Hippolyth Kempf (SUI) – Sport Economist at the University of Magglingen

• Wolfgang Pichler (GER) – Former Head Coach of Team Russia and Team Sweden Biathlon

• Dr Dagmara Gerasimuk (POL) – IBU Development Director

• Dr Gerold Sattlecker (AUT) – IBU Education Manager

Details about the IBU Research Grant Programme can be found here: IBU Research Grant - biathlonworld.com.