Citation

Brearley MB, Norton I, Kingsbury D, Maas S. Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2014; 9(5): 887-890.

Affiliation

National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre, Darwin, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/ijspp.2013-0409

PMID

24413968

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Anecdotal reports suggest that elite road motorcyclists suffer from high core body temperatures, physiological and perceptual strain when competing in hot conditions. METHODS: Four male non-heat acclimatised elite motorcyclists (3 superbike, 1 supersport) had their gastrointestinal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate measured and recorded throughout practice, qualifying and race sessions of an Australian Superbike and Supersport Championship round contested in tropical conditions. Physiological strain was calculated during the sessions, and fluid balance measures were taken during practice and qualifying. Rider thermal sensation was assessed immediately post-session. RESULTS: Mean ambient temperature and relative humidity were 29.5-30.2°C and 64.5-68.7% respectively across the sessions. Gastrointestinal temperature rose from 37.6-37.7°C pre-session at a median rate of 0.035, 0.037 and 0.067°C per minute during practice, qualifying and race sessions to attain a median of 38.9, 38.8 and 39.1°C post-session, respectively. The peak post session gastrointestinal temperature was 39.8°C. Median heart rates were ~164, 160 and 177 beats.minute-1 during the respective practice, qualifying and race sessions, contributing to median physiological strain of 5.5, 5.6, 6.2 across the sessions. Sweat rates were 1.01 and 0.90 litres.hour-1 during practice and qualifying sessions, while rider thermal sensation was very hot post each session. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation confirms that elite road motorcyclists endure moderate to high physiological strain during practice, qualifying and race sessions, exhibiting more rapid rates of body heat storage, higher core body temperatures and higher physiological and perceptual strain compared to their stock car racing counterparts when competing in tropical conditions.

Language: en