title: My heart is racing! Psychophysiological dynamics of skilled racecar drivers.
abstract: Our purpose was to test the multi-action plan model assumptions in which athletes' psychophysiological patterns differ among optimal and suboptimal performance experiences. Nine professional drivers competing in premier race categories (e.g. Formula 3, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge) completed the study. Data collection involved monitoring the drivers' perceived hedonic tone, accuracy on core components of action, posture, skin temperature, respiration rate and heart rate responses during a 40-lap simulated race. Time marks, gathered at three standardised sectors, served as the performance variable. The A1GP racing simulator (Allinsport, Modena) established a realistic race platform. Specifically, the Barcelona track was chosen because of its inherently difficult nature characterised by intermittent deceleration points. Idiosyncratic analyses showed large individual differences in the drivers' psychophysiological profile, as well as distinct patterns in regards to optimal and suboptimal performance experiences. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed. Action- (e.g. attentional control) and emotion (e.g. biofeedback training)-centred applied sport psychology implications are advanced.
authors.affiliation: a BIND - Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences , University of Chieti , Chieti , Italy.
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Selenia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Fronso
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzoni
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robazza
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bortoli
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertollo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D056152:Respiratory Rate; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: map model; motorsport; peak performance; psychophysiology