Motocross Race Research Articles

The Effect of Different Motocross Circuit Typologies on Internal Load and External Load Responses in Riders

Background: Several physical and physiological changes occur during a motocross race, mainly due to the type of circuits, and therefore the impact of different types of circuits on training load responses continues to need to be fully clarified. Objective: The main aim of the present study was to compare the internal load and external load responses of motocross riders from different classes and on circuits of different types. Method: A quasi experimental design research was used in the study.The sample consisted of 10 motocross riders (28.10 ± 7.53 years; 74.60 ± 9.70 kg; 176.50 ± 7.18 cm; 23.88 ± 2.18 BMI), male., distributed by the Mx Elite and Mx Hobby categories. The pilots were evaluated before and after the race in relation to indicators of external load (accelerations and decelerations, maximum speed and average speed and impacts) and internal load (Heart rate, blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion) on two circuits of different types. Results: There was a trend towards higher internal load responses in the Mx Hobby class compared to the Mx Elite class (p ≤ 0.05), regardless of the circuit. Regarding external load responses, the Mx Hobby class has a tendency towards higher maximum and average speeds, while the Mx Elite class presents the same tendency for accelerations and decelerations. Conclusions: Different circuit types appear to influence pilots’ internal load and external load responses.

Psychological Aspects of Motocross Racing Considering Expected, Perceived, and Actual Performance.

Motocross racing is a seldom-researched popular extreme sport. This field research aimed to investigate feeling states, perceived arousal, anxiety, and negative and positive affect in the anticipatory and recovery race periods and their relationship to expected and perceived performance. Twenty Motocross racers completed psychometric scales before and after a national championship race. Results revealed that objective performance was unrelated to psychological measures. Arousal, anxiety, and positive affect were lower after the race. Expected performance was unrelated to postrace measures. Still, perceived performance correlated significantly with the feeling state, anxiety, and positive affect after the race and the feeling state before the race. Furthermore, racers who performed as expected or better showed improved feeling states after the race compared with those who did worse than expected. The core affect of the latter group declined. This research on psychological states during Motocross races could motivate new initiatives for future studies.

Mechanical, microstructural characterization and redesign of a BMX bicycle frame

The high requirements of Bicycle Motocross (BMX) race conditions demands on the bicycle frame complex dynamic and static loads states by which it is expected that frames to experience high levels of stress and strain. To build efficient bike frames in terms of performance, weight and quality, it is necessary to analyse systematically its response against different loads. The aim of this work is to perform the design of a BMX frame for the national team of Colombia, including the microstructural and mechanical characterization of the initial bicycle frame as complement for the macrostructural characterization of the frame in static conditions. The components of the bike frame were exanimated using optical emission spectrometry, metallographic examinations, microhardness measurements and mechanical tests. It was found that significant differences of the grain sizes of the samples were reflected in the deformation values measured in the frame showing a high structural anisotropy. Despite this, the microhardness and mechanical resistance values the results show coherence between them. In Addition, safety coefficient of the four of the components of the bicycle frame was calculated finding that coefficient values was the calculated safe factor was 4.27. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press

The effects of active vs. passive recovery on riding performance during a simulated motocross race

Aims: Motocross consists of two races of 30 min with a break in between. Recovery between races is paramount to performance, this study aimed to compare the effects of active and passive recovery between motocross races on riding performance. Methods: Thirteen elite and non-elite racers performed two races of 30 min with 1 h break, twice with two-week interval. Between the races active (20 min ergometer cycling at 60% of HRmax) or passive recovery (no activity) were executed in a randomized order. Lap times, heart rate during riding, blood lactate, reaction time, handgrip strength, upper back pull strength, counter movement jump height, and medicine ball throw distance were measured before and after both races. Serum creatine kinase enzyme activity and strength tests were assessed also 24 h after the races. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in any variables between protocols. A significant drop in handgrip strength was found post-race values (p < 0.001). Post-racing creatine kinase values were above resting levels. Conclusion: These results do not support the use of active recovery in between motocross races for restoration of neuromuscular or riding performance. Motocross seems to cause some exercise-induced muscle damage; thus, some rest is required to recover homeostasis.

Physiological profile of elite Bicycle Motocross cyclists and physiological-perceptual demands of a Bicycle Motocross race simulation.

This study aimed to investigate the physiological profile of elite Bicycle Motocross (BMX) cyclists and assess the physiological and perceptual demands of a simulated BMX race. In addition, the neuromuscular fatigue induced by BMX race simulation was investigated. Twelve male elite BMX cyclists performed two testing sessions. On the first day, incremental submaximal and maximal cycling tests were performed, as well as baseline measurements of muscle contractile qualities, a vertical jump test, short sprint cycling test and Wingate test. Following a recovery period of 48 h, athletes race performance times, physiological intensity and fatigue were determined before and after each heat (4 in total) via muscular evaluations, blood samples and perceptual ratings. During testing, cyclists attained a V̇O<inf>2max</inf> of 55.7±4.8 ml min-1 kg-1; peak power output during a short cycling sprint of 1498±189 W and average during Wingate of 1344±158 W; counter movement jump peaks were 58.6±7.7 cm (height), 4625±768 W (power) and 64.3±7.5 N kg-1 (force). During the BMX race simulation performance times improved slightly and perceived exertion increased, blood lactate and hydrogen ions concentrations significantly increased across heats while bicarbonate concentrations decreased (P<0.001). Similarly, significant decreases were observed for contractile properties (peak torque, P<0.001; maximal rate of torque development and relaxation, both P<0.001) at single and paired stimulations (10 and 100 Hz) across heats. Elite BMX cyclists show high anaerobic characteristics (Wingate and sprint) and neuromuscular qualities (height and power jump), while the aerobic qualities are not comparable to those typical of road cyclists. BMX races appear to induce metabolic disturbance, peripheral fatigue and increase perceived exertion, however performance times across heats appears not to be affected.

Elevated Particulate Matter and Noise Exposure for Spectators at Outdoor Motorsport Events

Since the first recorded steam carriage race in Manchester England, in 1867, motorsport racing has been a globally popular and commercially successful leisure activity. Enthusiasts enjoy a wide range of events, including Formula, stock car, motocross, drag, and many other styles. Despite the many environmental health hazards present at racing events, there have been no published exposure assessment studies for event spectators. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted noise and particulate matter exposure assessment at a series of auto and motocross racing events. Sampling was conducted from May to October, 2017 in designated spectator seating areas at two dirt auto racing tracks, a paved auto racing track, and a dirt motocross track in the St. Louis metro-east region, Illinois, USA, and in Sedalia, Missouri, USA. Using a TSI Instruments SidePak AM520 personal aerosol monitor, arithmetic mean PM2.5 concentration ranged from 51 to 86 µg m-3 across eight race events. Using a Digi-Sense portable sound meter, arithmetic mean noise levels ranged from 75 to 92 dB, and maximum noise levels ranged from 85 to 105 dB across nine race events. PM2.5 at individual race events was combined with 24 hr average concentration data from Illinois EPA&amp;#8217;s Granite City, IL ambient air monitoring sites to obtain time weighted average estimated 24 hour PM2.5 exposure for race spectators. Based on these calculations, 24 hour PM2.5 for race spectators would be 1.8 to 3.5 times local background exposure. These values corresponded to EPA Air Quality Index levels of 63 to 92, falling in the Moderate category, which presents potential respiratory symptoms to highly sensitive individuals. Planned future data collection includes gravimetric sampling, and particle composition analyses. Our results suggest that despite the short duration of these activities, there are possible respiratory hazards from airborne particulate matter exposure for spectators with preexisting vulnerability.

The influence of gate start position on physical performance and anxiety perception in expert BMX athletes

ABSTRACTThe critical importance of the start phase in bicycle motocross (BMX) racing is increasingly acknowledged. Past experiments underlined that the internal lane of the starting gate provides a strong positional advantage. However, how lane position affects start performance and cognitive and somatic state anxiety remains unexplored. We examined the start performance and anxiety responses of youth national-level BMX riders in both experimental and ecological contexts. We used contextualization motor imagery routines to evaluate start performance and state anxiety from the internal and external lanes. Cycle ergometer measures revealed a better start performance from the external lane, but we did not record any lane effect on actual gate start times. Both somatic and cognitive anxiety scores were higher before racing from the internal compared to the external lane. Finally, state anxiety (i.e., somatic anxiety, worry and concentration disruptions) negatively predicted the start performance. Present findings provide original insights on psychological factors involved in BMX start performance, and might contribute to fruitful coping interventions and training programmes in sports overlapping the framework of “handicap races” taking the specific form of positional advantages/disadvantages at the start (e.g., ski/snowboard cross, athletics, swimming, motorsports, etc.).

On-track Measurements in Motocross: The Correlation of Neck Muscle Activity and Contact Incidents of Helmet and Neck Brace

Modern motocross racing is a very demanding and a highly injury rated sport. Within a wide range of injuries, cervical spine injuries are most feared and can even end up in different forms of paraplegia. Worn around the neck and with a non-permanent connection to rider, neck braces primarily offer a protective purpose to prevent cervical spine injuries. Beside the protective purpose, neck braces can have a supporting or a fatigue effect to the rider's neck muscles, where the effects depend on the specific neck brace design and the contact occurring between helmet and brace. Within a field test one subject was measured. During on- track measurements the contact incidents of neck brace and helmet were recorded utilizing a self-made sensor construction. The sensor construction was based on 12 electrical push-buttons and was mounted at the helmet's underside. Contact data was stored using two portable data-logging systems. Additionally muscular activity of m. sternocleidomastoideus (scm) and the upper part of trapezius (trap) were recorded while riding using a portable EMG-system. The acquired EMG data delivered information about a change of neck muscle activity while riding with the neck brace system. Activation levels and distribution of muscular activity of m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. trapezius show divergent activation levels and a changed distribution of muscular activity in response to wearing a neck brace. Related to the data of specific contact areas, it could be observed that almost one fifth of total riding time, contact between helmet and neck brace could be recorded. Low and high frequent contact areas of helmet and neck brace were calculated for total riding time, single laps and specific events, whereby a decreasing trend of contact incicdents by increasing riding time was observed. The EMG and contact data obtained delivered information about a connection of the changes of neck muscle activity and the frequent contact areas of helmet and brace. It can be concluded that driving with neck brace affects the activation levels and distribution of muscular activity of the muscles observed. According to the recent results, the correlation of contact and EMG data could be used for further neck brace design improvements and specific design adaptations to special requirements of several bike sports.

A sensor construction to measure contact between helmet and neck brace during motocross riding

Motocross racing is widely associated with a high risk of injuries, and those to the cervical spine are often regarded as the most severe. To prevent such injuries neck braces are worn, which distribute the forces to adjacent body structures. However, many riders refuse to wear these braces due to a reduced freedom of movement of the head, which might lead to reduced performance. In this paper a simple low-cost measuring system to record the contact locations and contact times between the helmet and neck brace in motocross riding is presented and evaluated. This system can be used to evaluate the influence of neck braces during common riding situations specific to motocross, but is not designed to evaluate the functionality of neck braces in the case of crashes. The setup consists of 12 miniature push-buttons, mounted on the underside of the helmet at equally distributed distances. With the setup presented, on-track measurements are conducted on a motocross track and the results are evaluated for total ride duration, single laps and special riding situations typical for motocross (turns, bumps and jumps). Our results show that contact between helmet and brace is common (average contact time: 17% of riding duration), and that the measurement system delivers reliable data and can be used to evaluate the helmet–brace contact, leading to further improvements in neck brace design and freedom of movement for the rider.

Assessment of friction from compression ring conjunction of a high-performance internal combustion engine: A combined numerical and experimental study

The paper presents direct measurement of in-cylinder friction from a single cylinder motocross race engine under motored conditions and compares the same with a new analytical predictive method. These conditions are encountered in piston–cylinder system with the application of cylinder deactivation (CDA) technology, which is a growing trend. The analytical method takes into account the various regions within instantaneous contact of compression ring–cylinder liner, including lubricant film rupture, cavitation zone and the subsequent lubricant film reformation. The analysis also includes the effect of boundary friction and lubricant rheology. The predictions and direct measurements of cyclic friction show good agreement and indicate dominance of viscous friction under the investigated engine running conditions. In particular, it is shown that the compression ring contribution to in-cycle friction is most pronounced in the region of high cylinder pressures because of combined Poiseuille friction and some boundary solid interactions. The combined experimental-analytical approach has not hitherto been reported in literature.

Temporary sternoclavicular plating for an unusual double clavicle fracture (medial nonunion, lateral acute) complicated by an intraoperative pneumothorax.

Double (segmental) clavicle fractures, involving both the medial and lateral aspects of the clavicle, are very uncommon. Even less common is an asynchronous double fracture with one of the fractures being a nonunion. We report the case of a 30-year-old healthy male patient who had an unusual double clavicle fracture (medial nonunion, lateral acute) that occurred in separate traumatic events during motocross (motorcycle) racing. His fractures were treated surgically in two stages. In the first stage a long reconstruction plate was used that spanned onto the sternum and two transcortical screws were placed into the manubrium to enhance purchase for the deficient bone of the medial clavicle. In accordance with the preoperative plan, the medial one-third of the plate and the medial four screws (of the total 13 used) were removed. Although our patient had an excellent final result, he did have an intraoperative pneumothorax that was treated uneventfully with a chest tube. Medial clavicle fractures are difficult to treat, especially if they are nonunions and surgical complication rates can be high. Our case is one of the few that has been described where temporary sternoclavicular plating was successful in achieving an excellent long-term outcome.

Blunt chest trauma caused rupture of the left main coronary artery in a 15 year old motocross rider

Case report A 15 year old man suffered chest trauma as a participant of the international motocross race. After falling of the motorcycle, he was run over his chest by another diver. He was unconscious, Glasgow Coma Score was 5 and eye pupils did not react. Resuscitation with sedation, relaxation, analgesia and endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation were performed in the emergency vehicle. Mild hypotension and microhemathuria was present. Blood coming from the airways was aspirated periodically. Physical examination revealed excoriations and haemathomas of the face, lower left hemithorax and extremities were noticed. CT scan of the head, thorax and abdomen was performedbilateral contusion of the lung was revealed. On the ECG ST-segment denivelation is noticed. Troponin, lactate dehydrogenasis (LDH) and creatin phosphate kinaze (CPK) levels were elevated. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) revealed 10 mm thick pericardial effusion. There are no pathologic findings on ECG. That was indication for emergent cardiac surgery operation. After conventional median sternotomy and pericardiotomy was performed, 150 ml of blood was evacuated from pericardial space. Patient was placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with bicaval venous and aortic cannulation. After crossclamping aorta MPA was transected to approach LMCA. Damage of intimal layer of the MPA was found, originating just above the pulmonary valve and ending at bifurcation of pulmonary artery. After aortotomy the probe was inserted in the lumen of the LMCA. Subepicardial haemathoma of the left ventricle was found just next to LMCA. Defect of the LMCA wall was not suitable for reconstruction because its size was too big. So ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and circumflex artery (Cx) and coronary artery bypass (CABG) was performed. LAD was bypassed with left internal thoracic artery (LITA) and Cx with saphenous conduit. After aortotomy was sutured and clamp removed, MPA was closed. On transesophageal echosonography, ishemia of the anterior wall of the LV was noticed. We tried to wean the patient from CPB but it was unsuccessful. Patient died because of the left heart failure following irreversible myocardial damage following ischemia.

Maximal torque and power pedaling rate relationships for high level BMX riders in field tests

The Bicycle Motocross race is an “all-out” sprint discipline with a race time not exceeding 40s. In high-level, the maximal power output during acceleration phase can be higher than 2000 W. The purpose of this study was to analyse the maximal torque- and power-pedaling rate relationships and anthropometric characteristics during 80m sprints. Seven elite riders performed three 80m sprints on a levelled ground. The maximal mechanical power output (PMAX), the mean pedaling rate (PRmean), the optimal pedaling rate (PROpt), the maximal theoretical pedaling rate (PR0), the maximal theoretical torque (T0), the time at 20m (t20) and the maximal velocity reached during 80m sprint (vMAX) were measured using PowerTap system and photoelectric cells. Moreover, the projected frontal area (Ap) was measured during the sprints by photographs. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between PMAX and vMAX (r = 0.99), vMAX and PMAX•Ap-1 (r = 0.87), vMAX and T0 (r = 0.97), vMAX and PRmean (r = 0.98) and t20 and vMAX (r = -0.99). Moreover there was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between PRmean and PROpt with PRmean significantly greater than PROpt (158 ± 9 vs. 122 ± 18 rpm). The main results of this study showed that PMAX, T0, PRmean, Ap and t20 were significant determining factors of performance in 80m sprint. Furthermore, a lower value of PRmean could permit to reduce the difference between PRmean and PROpt in order to maximize the power output during the sprint.

Pedaling Power and Speed Production vs. Technical Factors and Track Difficulty in Bicycle Motocross Cycling

Mateo, M, Blasco-Lafarga, C, and Zabala, M. Pedaling power and speed production vs. technical factors and track difficulty in BMX cycling. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3248-3256, 2011-This article analyzes whether there is a determined profile in the production of cyclic and acyclic periods in relation to the phases of a bicycle motocross (BMX) race and whether this profile is related to the variables, Difficulty of track and Techniques used. After an initial test for determining maximum pedaling power (Pmax), 9 athletes belonging to the Spanish national team completed 3 series of 3 different types of races: (a) Complete track without pedaling; (b) Track, pedaling only at the gate start; and (c) track with free pedaling. The triple test was carried out over 3 days and on different level tracks: (a) high difficulty (HD), (b) medium difficulty (MD), and (c) low difficulty (LD). Our results show that average peak power applied in the BMX race was 85.21 ± 2.15% Pmax, coming down to 73.02 ± 18.38% at the gate start and to 51.37 ± 15.84% on the first straight. On the other hand, mean power (MP) in the BMX race is 33.79 ± 8.60% MPmax, with statistically significant differences in relation to the difficulty of the track (p < 0.000; 0.009; higher in the easiest). The mean velocity developed is 34.21 ± 1.0 km·h with significant differences (p < 0.000) in relation to the difficulty of the track. Acyclic efforts accounted for 86.3%, and cyclic efforts accounted for the remaining 16.7% of the overall performance in the race, with differences in relation to the difficulty of the track (p ≤ 0.003). Both power profile and performance (measured as velocity) are dependent on the phases and techniques of the race and are significantly affected by the level of difficulty of the track. The greater the technical level of the track, the lesser the possibility of developing cyclic power and vice versa.

Determining factors of the sprint performance in high-level BMX riders

In bicycle motocross (BMX) race, the start and the first straight line (∼40 m) are the most important phases (Bertucci et al. 2007; Zabala et al. 2009). Because it is difficult to overtake opponent...

Arthroscopic Repair of a Traumatic Massive Posterior Rotator Cuff Tear in a 14-year-old Teenager

Rotator cuff tears in adolescents are extremely rare, with no reported cases of arthroscopic repair being available in the literature thus far. A 14-year-old boy sustained a traumatic tear of his supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles of the rotator cuff during a fall off his motorcycle during a motocross race. He also sustained a contralateral mid-shaft clavicle fracture. The rotator cuff was repaired arthroscopically with two rows of double loaded suture anchors. The clavicle was fixed with an elastic intramedullary nail. This was followed by intensive physiotherapy, and the patient returned to full pre-injury function in his shoulder by 6 months postoperatively.

All-epiphyseal Semitendinosus PCL Reconstruction in a 10-year-old Child

Tears of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in pediatric patients, especially avulsions from its tibial insertion, are not frequently encountered by physicians. However, with an increasing incidence of ligamentous injuries to the knee in skeletally immature patients, orthopaedic surgeons will more frequently need to decide how best to manage a PCL injury in children with open physes. A 10-year-old boy sustained an avulsion of the PCL from its tibial insertion site after a bicycle motocross racing accident. He required a PCL reconstruction after failed conservative treatment and an unsuccessful attempt at primary repair. This successful physeal sparing reconstruction was accomplished using a modified method of femoral tunnel placement in combination with the tibial inlay technique. A magnetic resonance imaging was acquired 2 years postoperatively when physical examination demonstrated both legs of equal length, no varus or valgus deformity, and a normal posterior drawer examination. Four years after the reconstruction, he continues to bicycle motocross race while experiencing no further symptoms and complete restoration to his prior quality of life. The use of the tibial inlay technique together with the modified femoral tunnel location prevented transphyseal drilling while attaining a favorable anatomic placement of the graft while avoiding the "killer" turn associated with the transtibial approach. Level IV (Therapeutic Study).

Kahnbeinfrakturen bei Motocrossfahrern

Motocross racing is a demanding motorcycling discipline with significant physiological and psychological demands. Upper extremity injuries are frequently encountered. Interestingly, motocross riders present with a significantly stronger left arm, even if the left hand is not dominant. This difference is attributed to the use of the clutch lever with the left hand, which is more frequent in motocross than in Enduro or desert rally. The wrist has been reported to be involved especially among motocross racers in contrast to road racing. Besides wrist fractures, scaphoid fractures have been previously without a detailed analysis of the injury mechanism. We report on three patients suffering scaphoid fractures caused by extreme hyperextension of the wrist during landing after a motocross jump. Two patients presented late three months following the initial trauma (both Herbert type C fractures), while one motocross athlete with a B 2-type scaphoid fracture was admitted to wrist surgery within a week. The B 2-type fracture was treated with open reduction and Herbert-screw fixation, while the C-type fractures were treated by Herbert-screw fixation in addition to a cortico-cancellous bone graft. Within ten weeks after the surgery the patients were back in sport at their given preoperative level. Hyperextension rather than wrist flexion appears as the predominant mechanism of wrist injuries in motocross riders. A more axial impact on the wrist is more likely to produce a radial fracture during the landing phase. Preventive strategies are internal muscular wrist stabilisation using eccentric training and external stabilisation by rigid gloves allowing only limited hyperextension.

Cardiac arrest in a young man following excess consumption of caffeinated “energy drinks”

An otherwise healthy 28-year-old man had a cardiac arrest after a day of motocross racing. He had consumed excessive amounts of a caffeinated "energy drink" throughout the day. We postulate that a combination of excessive ingestion of caffeine- and taurine-containing energy drinks and strenuous physical activity can produce myocardial ischaemia by inducing coronary vasospasm.

Effect of off-road competitive motocross race on plasma oxidative stress and damage markers

Aim: To analyse the effect of an off-road motocross heat on plasma levels of oxidative stress and damage, blood leucocyte counts and urine catecholamine concentration. Methods: Plasma contents of total,...