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BU motorsport research showcase
Research undertaken by BU sport academic Kelly Goodwin has featured prominently in the 2010 International Review of Motorsport Research and Technology. Kelly, a Senior Lecturer from BU’s Motor Sport Research Group, was selected to contribute to the Professional Motorsport publication following her ground-breaking physiological research on motorsport competitors. Using a light-weight body monitoring device attached to motorsport competitors, Kelly was able to collect data that she hopes will help reveal the physical stresses incurred by competitors. Kelly explains: “It is now recognised that the physical demands required in high-speed motor sport are similar to those encountered within traditional sporting settings such as soccer or basketball. “During the course of a rally the drivers can experience a number of environmental, physical and psychomotor stressors which, when combined, can lead to rapid fatigue and decreased driving performance. “ The methodological considerations were discussed in relation to the Rallye Sunseeker 2009 where Kelly was fortunate enough to collect data from leading competitors and officials concerning driver and co-driver heart rate (HR), skin temperature, acceleration, energy expenditure and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). In the article Kelly concludes: “It is no wonder that previous research experiments have found driving heart rates to be very high, generally 82-93% of individual maximal heart rate, similar to that of a soccer or basketball player. ”However, it is more beneficial for an individual to be able to work at the high work rates without tremendously high heart rates being achieved. This will enable an individual to continue for longer without premature fatiguing, which is key to remaining alert and responsive. “ Kelly is keen to hear from other motorsport competitors to enable further comparative research to be undertaken. If you are a motorsport competitor and would like to be involved in this research please email Kelly at kgoodwin@bournemouth.ac.uk or call the BU Motor Sport Research Group on 01202 965233. |
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