The effect of competition on heart rate during kart driving: A field study

Abstract

BackgroundBoth the act of competing, which can create a kind of mental stress, and participation in motor sports, which induces physical stress from intense g-forces, are known to increase heart rate dramatically. However, little is known about the specific effect of competition on heart rate during motor sports, particularly during four-wheel car driving. The goal of this preliminary study, therefore, was to investigate whether competition increases heart rate under such situations.FindingsThe participants drove an entry-level formula kart during two competitive races and during solo driving against the clock while heart rate and g-forces were measured. Analyses showed that heart rate values during the races (168.8 beats/min) were significantly higher than those during solo driving (140.9 beats/min) and rest (75.1 beats/min).ConclusionsThe results of this preliminary study indicate that competition heightens heart rate during four-wheel car driving. Kart drivers should be concerned about maintaining good health and developing physical strength.

Speed ratio but cabin temperature positively correlated with increased heart rates among professional drivers during car races

“…Therefore, race-car drivers have typically been investigated during off-season tests, practice runs, and amateur car races, or in small study cohorts [2][3][4][5][6]. However, that may not have similar levels of influences during actual professional car races.…”

“…Due to increases in automobile performance caused by advances in leading-edge technology, professional race-car drivers are enduring greater physiological stress than ever before [1]. Based on a few case reports and preliminary reports, heart rate (HR) increases during car races [2][3][4][5][6]. Gravitational loading, psycho-physiological influence [2][3][4][7][8][9] and thermal stress [5,10,11] can be considered the main factors involved in increased HR.…”

“…Therefore, it is hypothesized that driving at faster relative speeds and under hot condition would induce a higher average HR during professional car races. However, most of these studies measuring HR conducted during off-season tests, practice runs and amateur car races [2][3][4]6] that may not have similar levels of influences during actual car races. On the other hand, investigations during actual professional car races have included only small cohorts (e.g.…”

The effect of fast eating on the thermic effect of food in young Japanese women

“…R-R spectral analysis procedure R-R interval power spectral analysis was used in this study as previously described (Inouez et al, 2003;Matsumura et al, 2011;Yoshino & Matsuoka, 2009). Briefly, power spectral analysis of variations in the R-R interval heart rate from the ECG data was carried out and displayed at 1-min intervals using the MemCalc/ Win time series data analysis program (GMS Co., Tokyo, Japan).…”

Development of a Novel Tympanic Temperature Monitoring System for GT Car Racing Athletes

“…Despite this abnormal environment, for reasons of safety, drivers are also obliged to wear a special racing suit with a full-face helmet. The last factor is simply the very high level of physical effort demanded of the racing athletes [1,5,6]. Motor racing is a recognised isometric challenge [6] as a result of the intense g-forces generated [1,5,7], which can increase the athletes' body temperature considerably [7].…”