Citation

Potkanowicz ES. Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2015; 10(8): 1058-1060.

Affiliation

Department of Human Performance and Sport Science, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/ijspp.2014-0519

PMID

25803362

Abstract

This case study was conducted as an attempt to quantify racecar driver core body temperature and heart rate in real-time on a minute-by-minute basis and as an attempt to expand the volume of work in the area of driver science. Three drivers were observed during a 15-lap, 25-minute maximal event. Each driver competed in the closed-wheel, closed-cockpit sports car category. Core body temperature and heart rate data were collected continuously using the HQ Inc. ingestible core probe system and heart rate monitoring. Driver 1 pre- and post-race core temperature was 37.80°C and 38.79°C. Driver 2 pre- and post-race core temperature was 37.41°C and 37.99°C. Driver 1 pre- and post-race heart rate was 102 beats per minute (bpm) and 161 bpm. Driver 2 pre- and post-race heart rate was 94.3 and 142 bpm. Driver one's PSI at the start was 3.51. Driver two's PSI at the start was 3.10. Driver one finished with a PSA of 7.04 and Driver two with a PSI of 3.67.

RESULTS show that drivers are continuously challenged minute-by-minute. Additionally, prior to getting into their cars, the drivers already experience physiological and thermal challenges. The data suggests that drivers are getting hot quickly. In longer events, this represents the potential for severe heat injury. Investigating whether the heart rates observed are indicative of work or evidence of a thermoregulatory associated challenge is a direction for future work. The findings support the value of real-time data collection and offers strong evidence for the expansion of research on driver-athletes.

Language: en