Miika Köykkä’s Doctoral Thesis Has Advanced Biathlon Shooting Measurement Techniques at JYU-Vuokatti

Based on the findings of the doctoral thesis of Köykkä, who works as a project manager at the University of Jyväskylä’s Sports Technology Unit (JYU-Vuokatti) and as a specialist in sports biomechanics at the Finnish Institute of High Performance Sport KIHU, the most decisive factors for shooting performance in the prone position are cleanness of triggering, aiming accuracy, and timing of triggering. In standing shooting, individual aiming strategy is emphasized: some stabilise the aim briefly within the hit area before triggering (holding strategy), while others try to time the trigger pull as they approach the centre of the target (timing strategy). The most important technical components vary according to the strategy; in the holding strategy, aiming accuracy is decisive, while in the timing strategy, cleanness and timing of triggering, and hold stability are highlighted. Regardless of the strategy, static hold – the ability to keep the aiming point as stationary as possible – is associated with performance in standing shooting. No differences were observed in rifle accelerations between shots with good and poor shooting performance.

The measurements for Köykkä’s doctoral thesis were mainly carried out in 2019 as part of the Finnish Biathlon Association’s national team coaching activities.

“Over the years, I have had the privilege of working under three head coaches – Marko Laaksonen, Antti Leppävuori and Jonne Kähkönen – in various coaching roles within the Finnish Biathlon Association’s national teams. I have learnt a great deal from all of them, as well as from my coaching colleagues Niko Aapajärvi and Maija Holopainen during my years in coaching. I have aimed to apply this knowledge to the research and development of technical assessment of biathlon shooting. Marko Laaksonen also served as the second supervisor for my thesis.”

There is keen interest in how the results of this doctoral research can be applied in practice. The findings provide valuable insights for the development of biathlon shooting training.

“By understanding which technical aspects are most important and being able to test their level, shooting training or, for example, optimising shooting positions, can be tailored more effectively to the individual athlete’s needs. For instance, if an athlete is strong in stability of hold and aiming accuracy during prone shooting but weaker in cleanness of triggering, it would be advisable to focus their training on exercises that develop trigger control,” Köykkä explains.

The Doctoral Thesis Is Part of Broader Biathlon Environment Development in Vuokatti

The doctoral work has played a significant role in developing biathlon shooting training environments and measurement technologies at JYU-Vuokatti. Köykkä began his work on biathlon shooting technique around a decade ago—at that time, no automatic analysis methods were available, nor was there much research data on the technical factors influencing shooting performance.

The years 2017–2019 marked a major step forward in Vuokatti, as the first measurement system enabling automatic technical analysis and feedback was developed. The first laboratory for dry-fire testing was also completed during this period. Development has continued apace: in autumn 2024, an outdoor laboratory for live ammunition testing was completed with support from an ERDF-funded project. Since 2024, the HUTTE (Future Technologies in Elite Sport) project has been developing a dedicated device for tracking the aiming point, with its first prototype currently undergoing validation. The training and testing facilities now available in Vuokatti are unique even by international standards.

The technical testing environments have been used in biathlon coaching in Vuokatti from the outset, by coaches from the Vuokatti-Ruka Sports Academy and the national team. Importantly, data from these environments can be translated into clear and practical feedback for athletes and coaches.

“The feedback generated automatically by the developed testing system is much more than just numbers; together with the coaches, we have considered how best to present the results visually to ensure maximum clarity,” Köykkä notes.

MSc Miika Köykkä’s doctoral dissertation “Technical Assessment of Biathlon Shooting: Exploring Key Determinants of Performance and the Role of Aiming Strategies” will be publicly defended on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 12:00 noon in room S212 of the Seminarium building at the University of Jyväskylä

The defence can also be followed via live stream at: https://r.jyu.fi/dissertation-koykka100426

The thesis is available online at: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-1362-6