Citation

Collins VP, Hudgins PT, Maxwell AR, Petrany Z. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1964; 8: 29-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1964, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Among sports activities, auto racing presents a unique opportunity for the study of the human subject under conditions of non simulated stress. There is an external environment of risk, a strong motivation to succeed, and a task involving controls of mechanical equipment which would not be served by a primitive urge toward flight or fright. These circumstances bear some useful resemblance to those of an astronaut.

The underlying concept of the study is that environmental stimuli produce physiological and biochemical responses within the individual which govern the effectiveness and efficiency of his reaction. There are therefore two stages of investigation; the first is to identify and classify the range of physiological and biochemical responses; the second is to relate these to performance. This study deals with the first stage.

As a point of entry to the problem, the cardiovascular system is selected because its responses are sensitive to both external and internal influences, because performance depends upon its function, and because its function permits a relatively simple display.

Two phases of the study are presented here: 1) the tilt table test performed before and after stress and 2) in-car recording or telemetry of heart action and body temperature.