Physiological and selective attention demands during an international rally motor sport event

Physiological responses of race car drivers in authentic and simulated motor-racing

Objectives

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the influence of G-loading and psycho-emotional stress and competitive pressures on driver physiology between authentic and simulated racing during similar environmental conditions (e.g., a hot cockpit).

Methods

Authentic racing data was collected during the 2018 "Sahlen's 6 h at the Glen" race, where five male drivers (age = 38.0 ± 5.1 y, driving years = 8 y) competed in the IMSA GTD class in 1 h stints over the course of the race. In the simulated race, the same drivers wore a full protective outfit to replicate the attire worn in the authentic race for 60 min in an environmental controlled room that matched authentic racing. During authentic and simulated racing physiological measures of heart rate (HR), breathing rate, physiological strain index (PSI), skin temperature and core temperature were recorded.

Results

In the final 50 min higher (P < 0.05) physiological demands were observed in core temperature, PSI, and breathing rate for authentic racing compared to simulated racing. HR in the final 50 min was higher (P < 0.001) in authentic racing (159 ± 23 beats·min-1) to simulated racing (112 ± 19 beats·min-1) with no increase in heart rate in the first 10 min of simulated racing. In authentic racing skin temperature was higher (P < 0.001) in the first 10 min compared to simulated racing however, in the final 50 min there was no difference (P = 0.928) observed.

Conclusions

G-loading and psycho-emotional stress lead to considerable increases in metabolic work and physical stress in authentic racing compared to simulated racing. A racing simulator does not generate the physical loads to drive the car or the psycho-emotional stress and competitive pressure of an authentic racing event.

Peculiarities of students' mental functions development under the influence of different physical activities

OBJECTIVE

Aim: The aim is to study the influence of the training activities of different orientations on the attention development of student specializing in different sports.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: The study involved 127 students, who were divided into three groups: group A (n=68) was engaged in speed and power sports, group B (n=59) was engaged in endurance sports, the control group (n=83) included peer students who did not do sports during their studies. The research on students' attention was carried out according to Anfimov's test using a table with letters.

RESULTS

Results: It was revealed that speed and power activities increase the integrated indicator of attention (the coefficient of work performance) based only on the speed of viewing characters with unreliable changes in the correctness of the work indicators. Under the influence of endurance training, the coefficient of efficiency is increased based on both an increase in the speed of viewing characters and the correctness of the work indicators. The students of the control group were found to have insignificant changes in the studied indicators of attention.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: This suggests that endurance training promotes the development of students' attention more ef f ectively. It is set, that specifics of the training process, its orientation equally specifically specialize the peculiarities of the attention development of students.

Application of a Reactive Agility Training Program Using Light-Based Stimuli to Enhance the Physical and Cognitive Performance of Car Racing Drivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

There is a need to develop strategies that could contribute to the physical and mental preparation of motorsport athletes. A common method used by experienced motorsport athlete physical trainers is flashing light devices to train or assess reactive agility, despite limited evidence. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the effects of a 6-week reactive agility training program using light-based stimuli on the physiological and cognitive abilities of car racing drivers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CONSORT guidelines for randomized controlled trial were used. In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 24 car racing drivers (EXP, n = 12; CON, n = 12) performed a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests marketed specifically at motorsport athletes from Vienna test system (VTS) at rest or during moderate intensity exercise on a bicycle. Physiological abilities were determined via a maximal incremental cardio-respiratory treadmill test. Baseline and post-intervention tests were performed on three consecutive days. Participants in EXP underwent a 6-week intervention consisting of 60-min training sessions twice a week using the Witty SEM light stimulus.

RESULTS

Participants in EXP but not in CON performed some of the VTS cognitive tasks with higher accuracy and/or shorter reaction time after the intervention at rest and during exercise. Car racing drivers performed the STROOP word-reading condition more accurately when the task was performed during the exercise vs. rest, regardless of group. In addition, the intervention induced beneficial changes in peak heart rate (HR), HR at gas exchange threshold, ventilation, and relative maximal oxygen consumption (rVO₂ max). In contrast, body mass and fat mass increased, while peak HR and rVO₂ max decreased in CON. Finally, participants in EXP improved their reactive agility performance and reaction time throughout the training program.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the reactive agility training program using light-based stimuli appeared to be efficient to induce beneficial effects on some physiological and cognitive performance measures; therefore, it may have the potential to contribute to car racing drivers' physical and mental performance.

Redox Implications of Extreme Task Performance: The Case in Driver Athletes

Redox homeostasis and redox-mediated signaling mechanisms are fundamental elements of human biology. Physiological levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) modulate a range of functional processes at the cellular, tissue, and systemic levels in healthy humans. Conversely, excess ROS or RNS activity can disrupt function, impairing the performance of daily activities. This article analyzes the impact of redox mechanisms on extreme task performance. Such activities (a) require complex motor skills, (b) are physically demanding, (c) are performed in an extreme environment, (d) require high-level executive function, and (e) pose an imminent risk of injury or death. The current analysis utilizes race car driving as a representative example. The physiological challenges of this extreme task include physical exertion, g loading, vibration, heat exposure, dehydration, noise, mental demands, and emotional factors. Each of these challenges stimulates ROS signaling, RNS signaling, or both, alters redox homeostasis, and exerts pro-oxidant effects at either the tissue or systemic levels. These redox mechanisms appear to promote physiological stress during race car driving and impair the performance of driver athletes.

A Comparison of the Physiological Responses in Professional and Amateur Sports Car Racing Drivers

Purpose:Automobile racing is physically challenging, but there is no information related to experience level and physiological responses to racing. The aim of this study was to compare physiological responses of professional (PRO) and amateur (AM) sportscar drivers. Methods:Four male racing drivers (PRO n = 2, AM n = 2), completed a physical fitness assessment and had heart rate (HR), breathing rate 10 (BR), skin temperature (T_sk), core temperature (T_core), physiological strain index (PSI) and blood glucose (BG) measured continuously during six races. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate, and fluid loss were measured post-race. Results:AM had higher HR compared to PRO during driver changes (AM: 177 ± 12 beats·min^-1, PRO: 141 ± 16 beats·min^-1, p < .0001), pit stops (AM: 139 ± 14 beats·min^-1, PRO: 122 ± 1 beats·min^-1, p = .0381) and cautions (AM: 144 ± 13 beats·min^-1, PRO: 15 123 ± 11 beats·min^-1, p = .0059). During pit stops, PRO (26 ± 6 respirations·min^-1) displayed a significantly greater BR than AM (AM: 18 ± 7 respirations·min^-1, p = .0004). T_core was greater for PRO (38.4 ± 0.4°C) drivers while in the car during pit stops than AM (36.1 ± 2.5°C, p < .0001). AM displayed elevated PSI during cautions (AM: 5.5 ± 1.8, PRO: 3.2 ± 1.3, p < .0001) and pit stops (AM: 5.6 ± 1.4, PRO: 2.8 ± 1.1, p < .0001). BG was increased for AM versus PRO during pit stops (AM: 20 132.9 ± 20.2 mg·dl^-1, PRO: 106.5 ± 3.5 mg·dl^-1, p = .0015) and during racing (AM: 150.9 ± 34.6 mg·dl^-1, PRO: 124.9 ± 16.0 mg·dl^-1, p = .0018). AM (3.3 ± 1.7 mmol·dl^-1) had a higher blood lactate than PRO (1.7 ± 2.6 mmol·dl^-1, p = .0491) from pre to post-race. AM (1.90 ± 0.54 kg) lost more fluids over the race than PRO (1.36 ± 0.67 kg, p = .0271). Conclusions:Amateur drivers could fatigue faster in the car which results in a decreased driving performance.

Skin Temperature Measurement Using Contact Thermometry: A Systematic Review of Setup Variables and Their Effects on Measured Values

Background: Skin temperature (T_skin) is commonly measured using T_skin sensors affixed directly to the skin surface, although the influence of setup variables on the measured outcome requires clarification. Objectives: The two distinct objectives of this systematic review were (1) to examine measurements from contact T_skin sensors considering equilibrium temperature and temperature disturbance, sensor attachments, pressure, environmental temperature, and sensor type, and (2) to characterise the contact T_skin sensors used, conditions of use, and subsequent reporting in studies investigating sports, exercise, and other physical activity. Data sources and study selection: For the measurement comparison objective, Ovid Medline and Scopus were used (1960 to July 2016) and studies comparing contact T_skin sensor measurements in vivo or using appropriate physical models were included. For the survey of use, Ovid Medline was used (2011 to July 2016) and studies using contact temperature sensors for the measurement of human T_skinin vivo during sport, exercise, and other physical activity were included. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: For measurement comparisons, assessments of risk of bias were made according to an adapted version of the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Comparisons of temperature measurements were expressed, where possible, as mean difference and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Meta-analyses were not performed due to the lack of a common reference condition. For the survey of use, extracted information was summarised in text and tabular form. Results: For measurement comparisons, 21 studies were included. Results from these studies indicated minor (<0.5°C) to practically meaningful (>0.5°C) measurement bias within the subgroups of attachment type, applied pressure, environmental conditions, and sensor type. The 95% LoA were often within 1.0°C for in vivo studies and 0.5°C for physical models. For the survey of use, 172 studies were included. Details about T_skin sensor setup were often poorly reported and, from those reporting setup information, it was evident that setups widely varied in terms of type of sensors, attachments, and locations used. Conclusions: Setup variables and conditions of use can influence the measured temperature from contact T_skin sensors and thus key setup variables need to be appropriately considered and consistently reported.

Skin Temperature Measurement Using Contact Thermometry: A Systematic Review of Setup Variables and Their Effects on Measured Values

Background: Skin temperature (Tskin) is commonly measured using Tskin sensors affixed directly to the skin surface, although the influence of setup variables on the measured outcome requires clarification. Objectives: The two distinct objectives of this systematic review were (1) to examine measurements from contact Tskin sensors considering equilibrium temperature and temperature disturbance, sensor attachments, pressure, environmental temperature, and sensor type, and (2) to characterise the contact Tskin sensors used, conditions of use, and subsequent reporting in studies investigating sports, exercise, and other physical activity. Data sources and study selection: For the measurement comparison objective, Ovid Medline and Scopus were used (1960 to July 2016) and studies comparing contact Tskin sensor measurements in vivo or using appropriate physical models were included. For the survey of use, Ovid Medline was used (2011 to July 2016) and studies using contact temperature sensors for the measurement of human Tskinin vivo during sport, exercise, and other physical activity were included. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: For measurement comparisons, assessments of risk of bias were made according to an adapted version of the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Comparisons of temperature measurements were expressed, where possible, as mean difference and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Meta-analyses were not performed due to the lack of a common reference condition. For the survey of use, extracted information was summarised in text and tabular form. Results: For measurement comparisons, 21 studies were included. Results from these studies indicated minor (<0.5°C) to practically meaningful (>0.5°C) measurement bias within the subgroups of attachment type, applied pressure, environmental conditions, and sensor type. The 95% LoA were often within 1.0°C for in vivo studies and 0.5°C for physical models. For the survey of use, 172 studies were included. Details about Tskin sensor setup were often poorly reported and, from those reporting setup information, it was evident that setups widely varied in terms of type of sensors, attachments, and locations used. Conclusions: Setup variables and conditions of use can influence the measured temperature from contact Tskin sensors and thus key setup variables need to be appropriately considered and consistently reported.

High glucose enhances the metastatic potential of tongue squamous cell carcinoma via the PKM2 pathway

Previous evidence has indicated an increased cancer risk in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between DM (high glucose) and tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and how high glucose mediated the metastatic potential of TSCC. The relationship between DM and TSCC was assessed in a retrospective study. The role and its mechanism of high glucose on the proliferation, metastatic potential of TSCC were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The prevalence rate of DM in patients with TSCC was 12.84%, which was significantly higher than that (9.7%) in the general population in China. Although no significant difference was observed in the overall survival (OS) rate, TSCC patients with DM have a 1.38-fold increase in relative risk affecting 5-year OS compared to patients without DM. High glucose enhanced the TSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and upregulated PKM2 (pyruvate kinase M2) expression. Whereas, these effect was abolished after knockdown of PKM2 in TSCC cells. High glucose promoted tumour growth and lung metastasis of TSCC in a DM animal model. Our results confirm DM as a risk factor for the development of TSCC. High glucose enhances the metastatic potential of TSCC through stimulation of the PKM2 pathway.

Stress Markers During a Rally Car Competition

The aim of the study was to assess the stress responses in drivers during an official rally car race and the influence of fitness and body composition on stress hormones. Fitness and body composition were assessed in 9 rally car drivers with an incremental exercise test for determination of maximum aerobic speed (MAS) and 6-site skinfold method, respectively. Before (pre) and after (post) the first stage of an official rally car race, data were collected for heart rate (HR), blood samples were collected for analysis of hormones (i.e., epinephrine [EPI], norepinephrine [NE], cortisol, and aldosterone) and metabolites (i.e., lactate [LA], glucose, and ammonia). There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in all assessed variables except glucose at postrace. Heart rate increased 93% (p ≤ 0.05) at the end of the race stage, reaching 88.77 ± 4.96% of HRpeak. Also, EPI and NE significantly (p = 0.001) increased by 45 and 65%, respectively, and LA increased by 395% (p < 0.001). Significant correlations between percent body fat (%BF) and postrace EPI (r = 0.95; p < 0.001), and percentage change of EPI (r = 0.83; p = 0.012) were observed. The MAS was not associated to any metabolic or hormonal variable. These results suggest that psycho-physiological stress induced by the race elicited important changes in hormonal and metabolic variables and that %BF could be an important mediator of psycho-physiological stress in rally car drivers. Specific programs, including both strength and aerobic training, and nutritional plans should be implemented for appropriate conditioning of rally car drivers.