Powering peak performances
Winter sports ergonomics research focuses on optimising the interaction between athletes and their equipment, focusing on performance enhancement, safety and cold-weather physiological mitigation. Key areas include reducing muscle activity for better control, developing specialised, insulated and, in some cases, protective clothing, and understanding human factors to improve training and safety in sub-zero environment.
Plenty of these elements have been on show during the Winter Olympics. The power, endurance and concentration needed to compete at elite level is incredible, especially during such events as skeleton, snowboard cross and biathlon.
Drafting is a crucial performance factor in endurance and speed-based sports, reducing aerodynamic resistance and lowering the physical demands on trailing athletes. In long-track speed skating, where more than 80% of resistive force comes from aerodynamic drag, these benefits are particularly significant. The team pursuit event uniquely enables skaters to exploit drafting by skating in close formation, with wind‑tunnel studies showing drag reductions of up to 25% when following closely. However, real‑world turbulence on the ice means that understanding drafting in competition settings is essential.
A study in the Journal of Sports Sciences demonstrates that physical intensity, measured via heart rate, is highest for the leading skater and decreases in the second and third positions. On average, skating in second position reduced heart rate by 5.8 bpm (3.2%), while the third position showed an even larger reduction of 4.8%. Although these values may appear modest compared to cycling, they are meaningful in a sport where medals are often decided by tenths of a second. Perceived intensity followed a similar pattern, with an 18% reduction when drafting in second position, though perceived effort did not differ between second and third.
Notably, the study revealed substantial interindividual differences. While nearly all skaters showed lower heart rates when drafting, one‑third reported equal or even higher perceived exertion in a drafting position, suggesting that some athletes may struggle with externally imposed pacing. These variations highlight the need for an individualised approach when selecting team pursuit line‑ups and designing pacing strategies.
We’re going to be getting some answers directly from Team GB as, fresh from Winter Olympics success, Performance Director Nat Dunman and elite Skeleton athlete Amelia Coltman will be joining us at Ergonomics & Human Factors 2026 in April.
