Keywords

breathing simulators, functional state of the cardiorespiratory system, biathletes.

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, competitive loads in biathlon require expanding the adaptive capabilities of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The use of means of targeted influence on respiratory function is scientifically substantiated, but they have limited application in the training of biathletes, which indicates the need for experimental testing and the development of methodological recommendations.

An analysis of the functional state of biathletes aged 16–17 revealed a deficit in respiratory system reserves, satisfactory performance, and a slight increase in peripheral vascular resistance with a decrease in stroke volume and left ventricular contraction power.

Objective of the study – to substantiate the use of breathing simulators in the training of biathletes aged 16–17 at the stage of initial specialization.

Methods and structure of the study. The scientific work involved 10 biathletes aged 16–17, with ranks from 1st adult to Candidate Master of Sports, undergoing the training process on the basis of MAUDO SS "Chernogolovka".

To assess hemodynamic parameters, the method of volumetric compression oscillography – KAP TsGosm "Globus" was used. To assess respiratory function, the methods of spirometry, Stange and Genchi tests were used. To assess performance, the Ruffier test was used. We also conducted a survey of coaches working at different bases. A total of 18 coaches of various qualifications were surveyed. The authors developed a methodology for using a breathing simulator in the structure of the annual training cycle. The duration of the experiment was 6 months (October 2025 – March 2026).

Results of the study and their discussion. The survey of coaches showed that 77.8% of respondents are not aware of the possibilities of using breathing simulators, and the remaining 22.2% have heard about the possibilities of their use but have never used them in their practice. This situation is due both to insufficient testing of this method and to the lack of coverage of research results in practice.

The final functional diagnostics of biathletes was carried out at the end of the competitive cycle. As a result of the experiment, respiratory function indicators significantly improved in the experimental group. Vital capacity (VC) indicators significantly increased from 3.66±0.57 L to 4.34±0.58 L (p<0.05). In the control group, the changes were not statistically significant and amounted to from 3.82±0.65 L to 3.98±0.81 L. If the deficit from predicted VC at the beginning of the experiment was 10–11% in both the control and experimental groups, then at the end of the experiment in the experimental group VC exceeded predicted VC, while in the control group the deficit remained. Changes in the Stange and Genchi tests in the experimental group amounted to from 43.8±6.1 s to 52.4±5.2 s at the end of the experiment and from 24.1±2.9 s to 28.3±2.5 s, respectively (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the control group. VO2max significantly increased in the experimental group from 65.0 mL/min/kg to 74.8±3.2 (p<0.05), whereas in the control group the increase was insignificant and unreliable: from 64.5±4.2 mL/min/kg to 67.2±3.9.

The Ruffier index significantly improved in the experimental group from 6.4±2.6 to 5.1±1.8 (p<0.05). Stroke volume increased from 74.8±12.4 mL to 88.4±8.2 mL, left ventricular contraction power increased from 2.4±0.5 W to 3.5±0.8 W, peripheral vascular resistance decreased from 1206.7±105.9 dyn/s/cm⁻⁵ to 1016.5±98.9 dyn/s/cm⁻⁵ (p<0.05). In the control group, the change in these indicators was insignificant and unreliable, and peripheral vascular resistance even increased from 1196.5±112.7 dyn/s/cm⁻⁵ to 1301.7±105.89 dyn/s/cm⁻⁵, which indicates an increase in the tension of regulatory functions and the risk of developing overfatigue.

Conclusion. The conducted study showed that the use of breathing simulators in the training of biathletes allows expanding the adaptive capabilities of the cardiorespiratory system, increasing performance without increasing the volume of load, and does not require changing the structure of the training process. In fact, only the conditions for performing physical exercises change.

References

1. FarbeY V.V., Zhevlakov E.G., Ponomarev G.N. Podgotovka kvalifitsirovannykh biatlonistov s primeneniyem dykhatelnykh trenazherov [Training of qualified biathletes using breathing simulators]. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2023. No. 4. Pp. 100-102.

No. 6, pp. 59–59

Received: 21.03.2026 | Published: 02.06.2026

CC BY 4.0