Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40620580›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in sports and active living2025

Kernel Density Estimation: a novel tool for visualising training intensity distribution in biathlon.

Craig A Staunton, Andreas Kårström, Hannes Kock, Marko S Laaksonen, Glenn Björklund

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in sports and active living, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Craig A StauntonDepartment of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Andreas KårströmDepartment of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Hannes KockDepartment of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Marko S LaaksonenDepartment of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Glenn BjörklundDepartment of Health Sciences, Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: This study introduces two-dimensional (2D) Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) plots as a novel tool for visualising Training Intensity Distribution (TID) in biathlon. The goal was to assess how KDE plots, alongside traditional training metrics, might provide a more detailed understanding of heart rate (HR) intensity patterns, aiding in the evaluation of training quality and compliance. Methods: Fifteen elite-level youth biathletes from two national academy programmes were monitored over 5-6 weeks using HR monitors. Training sessions were measured via time-in-zone (TIZ) within a five-zone HR model with any time accumulated below the threshold for Zone 1, considered Zone 0. Sessions were dichotomised into those planned as low-intensity training (LIT) or those planned with high-intensity training (HIT). KDE analyses were conducted in MATLAB (Version R2020b) using the " Results: For LIT sessions, athletes performed less time in Zone 1 than planned, while performed time exceeded planned time in Zone 2. For HIT sessions, performed time in Zone 5 was lower than planned. All sessions contained unplanned time in Zone 0. The 2D KDE plots provided a continuous and detailed representation of HR intensity accumulation throughout training sessions, revealing patterns and intensity fluctuations that complement traditional TIZ analyses. Conclusions: 2D KDE plots might serve as a valuable complementary tool for assessing TID in biathlon, offering a more nuanced and continuous view of HR intensity. By identifying discrepancies between planned and performed training intensity, coaches can refine strategies and provide individualised feedback. Incorporating KDE plots into training monitoring could improve training alignment, helping reduce overtraining or undertraining risks and optimising athlete development.

Indexed as

big datadata sciencedensity estimationheart rateNordic skiingtraining load

Identifiers

PMID40620580
PMCPMC12226983

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.