Fitness, injury, and training profiles of South African motorsport drivers

Botma, Christa

Fitness, injury, and training profiles of South African motorsport drivers

Thesis / Dissertation

2024

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Division of Cell Biology

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background Motorsport is an expanding global sport, yet there is a lack of scientific literature in the field of sports medicine addressing the physical and physiological demands affecting driver-athletes. Internationally, research on this population of athletes is scarce, and there is currently no published literature in South Africa. Aim and Objectives We aimed to describe the fitness, injury, and training profiles of South African motorsport driver athletes. The objectives were to describe the demographics, training history, and injury history of South African motorsport driver-athletes, as well as their cardiovascular fitness, upper and lower body strength, coordination, and reaction times. Methods Adult male and female motorsport driver-athletes competing in circuit car racing at social, club, regional, or national level were included in the study. We used a self-developed online survey to collect the demographic characteristics, sport-specific information, training history, and injury history of driver-athletes. A case series of a small cohort of driver-athletes reported on physical tests to determine the upper limb strength, lower limb strength, reaction time, coordination, neck strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Results Fifty-one survey responses were included for analysis (three females and 48 males; mean age of 45 ± 16 years; median 13-14 years of driving experience). The main category of circuit car racing that respondents participated in was Clubmans. It was uncommon for respondents to practice on a circuit outside of race days, with 43% (n=22) practicing less than once a month on a circuit. Nine participants (18%) engaged in coordination exercises, 20% (n=10) in reaction time exercises, and 24% (n=12) incorporated neck strengthening exercises into their routines. Sixty-five percent (n=33) did not include any warm-up or stretching in their pre-race routine, but 75% (n=38) spent time visualising and mentally rehearsing before a race. Sixty-three percent (n=32) of respondents met the WHO guidelines for physical activity in adults. Fifty five percent (n=28) engaged in regular strength training, 57% (n=29) participated in cardiovascular training, and 25% (n=13) included flexibility exercises in their training regime. ii A total of 31 injuries were reported, with the foot/ankle being the most common injury area and fractures the most common injury type. Forty-two percent (n=13) of injuries were sustained during a car accident. Among the 13 injuries sustained during car accidents, 62% (n=8) occurred during competition. In the case series, all seven participants were male (with mean age: 40 ± 14 years). Three participants competed in the Sports & GT category of circuit car racing. There were no significant differences in left and right-sided measurements for plantarflexion strength, grip strength, lower limb coordination, or reaction times among the participants. For the neck flexor endurance test, the sample exhibited a wide range (range: 30-122 seconds). The mean estimated VO2 max was 30 ml/kg/min (range: 26-36 ml/kg/min). Conclusion Many driver-athletes do not engage in regular motorsport-specific training regimes or regular strength and cardiovascular training. This was highlighted in the case series where participants generally exhibited poor fitness and physical conditioning. This cohort of driver-athletes may have placed stronger emphasis on psychological and mental readiness than physical readiness for competition. Our research has provided valuable insights into the fitness, injury, and training characteristics in a cohort of South African driver-athletes. It underscores the importance of promoting awareness of physical fitness and conditioning as essential components to address the physiological and physical demands experienced by driver-athletes in motorsport

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