Effects of difference in walking speed on blow rifle aiming

─ Toward the development of rules for blow biathlon as an inclusive sports ─

Abstract

Blow rifle was born in Japan in 2011, involving blowing a ball out of a pipe using one's breath. In official competitions, there is a discipline called blow biathlon, where walking and blowing are alternated. However, this discipline is significantly influenced by participants'physical fitness levels, emphasizing the need for the development of inclusive rules. To address this, it is essential to initially examine the impact of walking speed on the accuracy of blowing. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effects of differences in walking speed on blow rifle aiming. Fifteen participants（ 8 males and 7 females） walked for 5 minutes at three intensity-equivalent speeds of 40% heart rate reserve （HRR）, 60% HRR, and 80% HRR, followed by five aiming measurements, then compared to the rest. Heart rate （HR）,aiming sway, and postural sway were measured. Aiming sway at 60% HRR and 80% HRR increased significantly more than during rest. No significant differences in postural sway were observed between the different speeds. If these results can be applied to blow biathlon, it is suggested that adjusting the walking distance based on a speed equivalent to 60% HRR would be an inclusive rule that considers fitness level.