Physiological responses to high-speed, open-wheel racecar driving.
High-speed auto racing has been demonstrated to produce accelerated heart rate (HR) during competition. However, it has not been determined whether the increase in HR was due to physical work efforts or a result of emotional stress.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the physiological responses associated with open-wheel automobile driving at competitive speeds.


METHODS
Oxygen consumption and HR were assessed in seven professional automobile racing drivers during two incrementally paced driving sessions. A portable metabolic analyzer and EKG were directly attached to the subjects as they participated in driving tests on an oval speedway and a roadway course. Maximal physiological responses of the subjects were also determined during a graded treadmill test.


RESULTS
During treadmill testing, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) ranged from of 42.0 to 59.7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) (mean +/- SD = 47.6+/-8.1). The road course and oval speedway testing at competitive speeds elicited mean VO2 values of 38.5 and 21.9 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), respectively, which correspond to 79% and 45% of VO2max. Road course driving produced mean HR values of 152 beats x min(-1) with 142 beats x min(-1) recorded when driving at competitive speed on the speedway course.


CONCLUSIONS
Professional open-wheel race drivers possess cardiorespiratory capacity similar to athletes participating in sports such as basketball, football, and baseball. The VO2 and HR responses to road course driving were similar to those previously reported in traditional sports settings. The findings of this study suggest that professional open-wheel racing drivers should be regarded as athletes that encounter significant physiological stresses.(2)
Jacobs
Patrick L
PL
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA. pjacobs@miamiproject.med.miami.edu
Olvey
Stephen E
SE
Johnson
Brad M
BM
Cohn
Kelly
K
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*