1. Driver Science: An Update on Women, Gender Differences, and Motorcycle Athletes
Edward S. Potkanowicz, Ph.D., ACSMEP-C
Ohio Northern University
ICMS, Indianapolis 2015

2. Disclosure Direct funding was provided by Raptor Motorsports, LLC
Indirect funding was provided by the Inde Motorsports Ranch
There is no conflict of interest to report as a result of this funding

3. Human Research Participants Statement
Each of the drivers volunteered and each was provided
with, and signed, an informed consent in accordance
with the practices of the Ohio Northern University
Institutional Review Board

4. Acknowledgements / Thank You
Dr. Jim Malone
Raptor Motorsports, LLC
Inde Motorsports Ranch
Mr. Dan Colvin, B.S.
Ohio Northern University

5. “A Real-Time Case Study in Driver Science: Physiological
Goal
To expand on the driver science work of the previous year and to try to “control” the testing environment.
“A Real-Time Case Study in Driver Science: Physiological
Strain and Related Variables”
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2015 Nov;10(8):

6. The objective and scientific examination of the driver’s physiological
Driver Science
The objective and scientific
examination of the driver’s physiological
response to the cockpit from which data-based recommendations can be made to improve driver safety, tolerance, and performance.
Potkanowicz ES and Mendel RW, 2013

7. Three Protocols Protocol #1
Physiological Responses of Female Motorsport
Athletes to the Environment of the Cockpit
Protocol #2
Physiological Strain and Perceptual Strain
Differences in Male versus Female Motorsport Athletes
Protocol #3
Physiological Repsonse of Motorcycle Athletes
to the Riding Environment

8. Order Of Events For Each Protocol
30-Minute Baseline Period
in a thermoneutral environement
72°F/22.2C° & 46%RH
Baseline Tgi, HR, RPE, Physiological and
Perceptual Strain
Minimize pre-driving time on the grid in
an effort to minimize pre-heating
Released to the drive
Real Time Minute-by-Minute Monitoring
45-minutes of continuous driving/riding
Ambient Temp. 92°F/33.3°C & 22%RH
Driving Tgi & HR
Post-driving calculation of Physiological and Perceptual Strain

9. *recently just submitted for publication
Protocol #1
Physiological Responses of Female Motorsport Athletes to the Environment
of the Cockpit
*recently just submitted for publication

10. Protocol #1

11. Women have a similar physiological & physiological
Protocol #1
Women have a similar physiological & physiological
strain response to thermal stress as men
Average pre-driving Tgi = 37.08°C/98.7°F
Average post-driving Tgi = 38.25°C/100.8°F
Average pre-driving PSI = 2.3 (Low/0-10 PSI Scale)
Average post-driving PSI = 5.0 (Moderate/0-10 PSI Scale)

12. However, the female drivers got hotter
Protocol #1
However, the female drivers got hotter
quicker than their male counterparts
When combined with known physiological differences,
women may be at a disadvantage when managing
uncompensable heat stress
i.e. use of oral contraceptives, fluid balance changes throughout the menstrual cycle
Different interventions for different drivers

13. Physiological Strain and Perceptual Strain
Protocol #2
Physiological Strain and Perceptual Strain
Differences in Male versus Female
Motorsport Athletes

14. Protocol #2 Physiological heat strain is not perceived the same by all
Perception of heat strain (Perceptual Heat Strain Index) has implications on how long anindividual would
continue to tolerate heat stress…
...perhaps to his/her detrimant
Hypothesize a differential response in
heat strain perception between genders

15. Protocol #2 The data suggests… Male and Female drivers have
similar Physiological Strain Index values
PSI = 3.3 / 5.6 (Low/Moderate)
PSI = 2.3 / 5.0 (Low/Moderate)

16. Protocol #2 The data also suggests… Female drivers appear to sense the
heat strain sooner than male drivers
Meaning…female drivers sense the excessive or growing
heat strain and stop sooner than their male counterparts
Implications for safer racing?

17. Physiological Repsonse of Motorcycle
Protocol #3
Physiological Repsonse of Motorcycle
Athletes to the Riding Environment

18. ...what are motorcycle athletes
Protocol #3
Question…
...what are motorcycle athletes
experiencing while performing their sport

19. Protocol #3

20. Motorcycle atheletes are thermally challenged
Protocol #3
Motorcycle atheletes are thermally challenged
Average Pre-riding Tgi = 37.0°C/98.6°F
Post-Riding Tgi = 38.39°C/101.1
Challenged to levels that would be considered febrile
Similar microenvironments to manage
(i.e. helmeted and wearing a multi-layered suit w/ little potential for evaporative cooling)

22. Limitations to the Work
- Low N
- Representativeness of the
particpant population
(e.g. age & fitness level)
- Length of the driving session
compared to actual events

23. Summary Through the continued use of existing and new
microtechnology we can uncover more fully
the challenges that the driver athlete
and the rider athlete experience
Earpiece sensor system as a biometric sensing
platform is the next logical step for a device that
was integral in promoting driver safety

24. Numerous other members who
Lastly…
The value of the ICMS
Stephen Hyatt
Jim Malone
Paul Trafford
Terry Trammel
Jeff Horton
Numerous other members who
have contributed

25. Driver Science: An Update on Women, Gender Differences, and Motorcycle Athletes
Edward S. Potkanowicz, Ph.D., ACSMEP-C
Ohio Northern University
ICMS, Indianapolis 2015

26. The original equation, applicable to both men and women,
The Physiological Strain Index (PSI) is calculated using the equation by Moran et al.
The original equation, applicable to both men and women,
PSI = 5(Tret – Tre0)·( Tre0)-1 + 5(HRt – HR0) · (180 - HR0) -1
,was modified to account for the use of the ingestible temperature probe.1
Therefore, ingestible temperature probe values were substituted for
rectal probe temperature values.

27. Evaluation and categorization of different heat strains by PSI
Strain PSI
No/little 0 1 2
Low 4
Moderate 5 6
High 7 8
Very high 9 10