Abstract
Purpose. To monitor physiological and attention responses of drivers and codrivers during a World Rally Championship (WRC) event. Methods. Observational data were collected from ten male drivers/codrivers on heart rate (HR), core body (T core) and skin temperature (T sk), hydration status (urine osmolality), fluid intake (self-report), and visual and auditory selective attention (performance tests). Measures were taken pre-, mid-, and postcompetition day and also during the precompetition reconnaissance. Results. In ambient temperatures of 20.1°C (in-car peak 33.9°C) mean (SD) peak HR and T core were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) during rally compared to reconnaissance (166 (17) versus 111 (16) beats·min−1 and 38.5 (0.4) versus 37.6 (0.2)°C, resp.). Values during competitive stages were substantially higher in drivers. High urine osmolality was indicated in some drivers within competition. Attention was maintained during the event but was significantly lower prerally, though with considerable individual variation. Conclusions. Environmental and physical demands during rally competition produced significant physiological responses. Challenges to thermoregulation, hydration status, and cognitive function need to be addressed to minimise potentially negative effects on performance and safety.
Highlights
Competitive motor sport requires high levels of physical and cognitive performance whilst experiencing significant environmental, physical, and psychological demands
Relevance of such study extends beyond motor sport to other domains where skilled performers with good fitness complete cognitively challenging performances in clothing and conditions that contribute to demands
It was hypothesised that there would be significant elevations in heart rate, skin and core temperature, during rally compared to reconnaissance
Summary
Competitive motor sport requires high levels of physical and cognitive performance whilst experiencing significant environmental, physical, and psychological demands. These include physical work against considerable gravitational and physical forces in confined spaces; climatic conditions; compulsory safety clothing (fire-protective under-clothing, overalls, balaclavas, helmets, boots, and gloves); proximity to hot engines; pressure to succeed; significance of winning; fear of failure; competitors; observation by spectators and media; and increased information load and distraction. Higher heart rates in competition were interpreted as primarily “psychoemotional” in nature [5]; measurement [3] and estimation [6] of energy expenditure as 5–13 times higher than resting (METS) illustrate that drivers must work hard to perform accurate physical and cognitive tasks under physiological conditions similar to some other sports. In some motor sports competition duration can be considerably longer, spanning multiple days, which increases the probability that central and peripheral fatigue will impact performance
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