Analysis of Eye and Head Tracking Movements during Shooting from the Prone Position in Biathletes Compared to Novices

Biathlon shooting is one of the most crucial aspects that determines an athlete's success. Several factors can affect shooting performance. This research aimed to study a range of eye and head movement parameters in biathletes of different skill levels as well as in novices in order to identify the most relevant and differentiating ones that separate novices from professionals. Eye and head movement parameters were recorded with a Pupil Labs Invisible (PI) infrared video recording eye tracker. The recording frequency is up to 200 Hz, and the additive error in location determination is up to 5 degrees, according to the documentation. The study revealed significant differences in visual-motor control parameters between elite biathletes, sub-elite biathletes (with Candidate Master of Sports levels of proficiency) and novices. Elite biathletes show: a minimal gaze path length after shooting, indicating strong fixation on the target, which enhances accuracy; lower pre-shooting head and gaze velocities and a reduced movement range, demonstrating strong gaze stabilization; a significantly smaller normalized ellipse square, indicating focused concentration with minimal excessive movements; and longer (twice as long as novices) and fewer fixations, with a high QIVT ratio (0.93 vs. 0.51 for novices), reflecting efficient attention allocation. Professionals blink less, correlating with improved concentration and reduced cognitive load during critical tasks, alongside shorter shooting durations. The data obtained can be used to design personalized training programs aimed at enhancing gaze stability and reducing cognitive load.