Citation

Filaire E, Filaire M, Le Scanff C. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness 2007; 47(4): 413-417.

Affiliation

Laboratory of Physical Activity, Health and Performance UFRSTAPS-2, Orléans Cedex, France. efilaire@nat.fr

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Edizioni Minerva Medica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18091680

Abstract

AIM: The study aims to examine the physiological load on motorcycling competitors during a qualifying trial and an official race. METHODS: Twelve male riders participated in this study, in which their anthropometric data, heart rate, blood lactate (La) and salivary cortisol (C) concentrations were measured. Two saliva samples were taken on a resting day at 8 a.m. (30 min after awakening: [T(0)] and at 8 p.m. [T(1)] and 6 saliva samples were collected on the day of the qualifying trial and on the day of the official race [T(2) through T(7)]). RESULTS: During the race, as well as during the qualifying trial, heart rate was found to be >80-90% of the maximum heart rate. Blood La increased more than two-fold (peak 5.6+/-2.1 mM) as compared to resting values (2+/-0.1 mM). However, La were not statistically different between qualifying trial and race. C concentrations on the motorcycling day were found to be up to 3 times higher than those measured on the resting day. In fact, there was a progressive increase in the C concentrations on the motorcycling day, the values noted 10 min after the race being the highest. There was a significant decrease in C values 60 min after the race, but the concentration was maintained at a higher level for a longer period; the values reported at T(7) (8 p.m.; 4.3 h after the end of the race) were significantly higher than those reported at the same time on a resting day (T(1)). CONCLUSION: The examination of heart rate, blood La and salivary C concentrations in motorcycling on a circuit shows that this sport is highly stressful, and also that a metabolic involvement is required to control the motorcycle at a high speed. Thus, riders may benefit from a specific training program aimed at improving their cardiovascular fitness and strength.

Language: en