ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Automobile racing is widely known to be physically demanding; however, there is no published information comparing the physical fitness variables of elite-level race car drivers across various competitive championships. METHODS: We documented the body composition, peak oxygen consumption (VËO2peak), and isometric neck strength in a sample of elite race car drivers currently competing in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and International Motor Sports Association sports car racing (IMSA GTD), to determine current human performance benchmarks and establish goals for drivers wishing to compete in these series. RESULTS: Percent body fat was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in Formula 1 drivers (8.1% ± 1.7%) as compared with the other series, with IndyCar (17.4% ± 1.7%) and NASCAR (17.3% ± 4.6%) being less than IMSA GTD (24.9% ± 1.8%). Percent lean mass followed the same trend as percent body fat. IMSA GTD had not only the highest percent body fat but also the lowest (P = 0.001) VËO2peak (45.2 ± 2.1 mL·kg·mL) compared with Formula 1 (62.0 ± 6.0 mL·kg·mL), IndyCar (58.05 ± 6.40 mL·kg·mL), and NASCAR (53.2 ± 4.1 mL·kg·mL). Isometric neck strength was the highest in Formula 1 and IndyCar drivers as compared with IMSA GTD and NASCAR drivers. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that the varying physical demands of each competition series require different physical fitness levels of drivers. These benchmarks can be used by exercise professionals to better prepare athletes for competition.
Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Body Composition/physiology , Competitive Behavior/physiology , Muscle Strength/physiology , Neck Muscles/physiology , Oxygen Consumption/physiology , Sports/physiology , Adult , Age Factors , Body Fat Distribution , Humans , Male , Physical Conditioning, Human , Physical Fitness , Young AdultABSTRACT
We describe the synthesis, structure and bonding of the first iridium and rhodium permethylpentalene complexes, syn-[M(CO)2]2(µ:η(5):η(5)-Pn*) (M = Rh, Ir). In fact, [Ir(CO)2]2(µ:η(5):η(5)-Pn*) is the first iridium pentalene complex. An interesting preference for the isolation of the sterically more demanding syn-isomer is observed and substantiated by DFT analysis. Upon photolysis, the rhodium analogue yields an unusual tetrameric species Rh4(CO)6(µ:η(3):η(5)-Pn*)2 with bridging carbonyls and Rh-Rh bonds, which has been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction and by solution NMR spectroscopy.
