Table 1.
The characteristics of the nine biathletes and eight cross-country skiers participating in this study (mean ± SD).
Fig 1.
Illustration of the experimental protocol used in this study where nine biathletes (experts) and eight cross-country skiers (novices) performed 100 shots in rest (NOPA-condition) and after 5 x 6 minutes of vigorous roller ski skating intervals (APA-condition).
Workload is displayed as a percent of the maximal heart rate (%HRmax). A signal-test where the participants were lying supine for five minutes was conducted after preparing the EEG-system to ensure stable contact with the electroencephalography-system and heart rate monitor (preparation). Electroencephalography, shooting performance and heart rate were measured during shooting in NOPA and APA. Self-reported concentration level (VAS) was rated after 20 and 100 shots in both conditions. After each interval, participants reported their rate of perceived exertion (RPE) on a Borg scale.
Fig 2.
Shooting performance in percent of successful shots (hits) during blocks of 4 x 5 shots is illustrated for both the biathletes (circles) and cross-country skiers (triangles) in rested state (NOPA) and after 6-min vigorous roller ski skating exercise (APA) (mean and standard deviation).
Fig 3.
Theta (4–7 Hz) spectral activity measured in the frontal midline (FZ)—electrode on nine biathletes (black bars) and eight cross-country skiers (grey bars) during shooting in a rested state (NOPA) and after vigorous roller ski skating exercise (APA) (mean and standard deviation).
Brain activity was analysed in the interval from 2 seconds before the trigger pull to 1 second after the trigger pull and divided into six 0.5-second epochs for further analysis