Upper-Body Strength Key for NASCAR Drivers
04/27/12
FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- A resistance-training
program that focuses on building upper body strength can improve
success for stock car drivers, such as those on the NASCAR circuit,
a new study suggests.
Researchers conducted interviews with 40 stock car drivers in 27
states and asked them about physical demands, injures and other
issues regarding their profession. The drivers, most of whom were
regionally or nationally ranked, also were asked about their
physical-training regimens.
The study appears in the May issue of
The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
Upper body strength, cardiovascular endurance and heat tolerance
were the main factors noted by the drivers as important for coping
with the demands of racing, said William Ebben, of the University
of Wisconsin-Parkside and the Stock Car Research Center in
Lakewood, Wis., and colleagues.
The drivers did resistance (strength or weight) training three
days a week, with the majority of that time focused on building
upper-body strength. The drivers spent another three days a week on
cardiovascular-endurance training.
Cardiovascular endurance relates to how well the heart, lungs
and vascular system perform during grueling physical activity.
The more time a driver spent on resistance training, the higher
their track points standings, according to the study. It also found
that drivers' ratings of their own physical fitness was associated
with their track points ratings, according to a journal news
release.
"Our results can assist professionals in the development of strength and conditioning programs for performance enhancement and injury prevention that are specific to the needs of this population of athletes," the researchers wrote.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers
advice about
strength training for older adults.
Copyright © 2012
HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.