Lara Carlson pioneers new research with first publication on motorsports physiology during competitive racing
Lara Carlson, DPE., FACSM, CSCS, associate professor in the Westbrook College of Health Professions and the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, recently published her research in the Journal of Thermal Biology. The publication is titled “Physiological strain of stock car drivers during competitive racing.”
The goals of sports science research are to improve the performance and safety in all competitive athletes in order to minimize stress on the body during competition; but unfortunately, less is known regarding the stress motorsports drivers are faced with during competitive racing. Until now, the thermoregulatory and cardiovascular stress and strain of actual stock car race competitions have not been carefully quantified.
It has been suggested that motorsport competition may increase heat stress and challenge the cardiovascular system. These effects may add to driver fatigue and possibly lead to catastrophic injury.
Heat and physiological strain experienced by motorsport athletes competing in National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing (NASCAR) may be significant enough to impair performance or even result in a life-threatening accident. The constant pedal work required during a stock car race, in addition to the isometric muscular activation of the neck, trunk, abdomen and legs to counter against the acute exposure to gravitational (G) forces, may not only contribute to an increase in metabolic heat but to cardiovascular strain as well.
Similar to published research on military personnel (aviation pilots, soldiers in armored vehicles, etc.), Carlson’s study confirmed that completing physical tasks in elevated cabin (race car cockpit) temperatures with the addition of protective uniforms, which hinders evaporative cooling, results in increased heat storage and may impair muscle activation, mental alertness, and increase the risk of heat illness.
Carlson’s findings suggest that drivers endure increased thermal stress (elevated skin and core body temperatures), increased cardiovascular strain, and potential fluid losses during competitive stock car racing in hot conditions. The results of this investigation provide support for more research on techniques for mitigating heat stress for drivers and for preparing them for competition in the heat to reduce accidents.
Co-authors include David Ferguson, Ph.D. , Children’s Nutritional Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and Robert Kenefick, Ph.D., FACSM, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.