The Effect of Individual Stress Zones on Car-Racing Performance

Details

11:45 - 12:00 | Wed 10 May | Einstein Auditorium | WeBT1.2

Session: Technical Session 2 – Monitoring Stress and Activation

Abstract

Car racing on track is a physically and mentally demanding sport. The car is monitored with high accuracy to improve performance, but nothing is measured on the driver. To achieve high performance, it is important that the driver is at their peak both physically and mentally. Knowing the mental state of the driver and keeping them in their individual focus zone can help improve the performance of the team. The stress level of four drivers is monitored during a 10hr race. Individual Stress Zones are calculated and used to distinguish mental states of distraction, focus and distress. The results show that performance is 1.7% better when focused than when distracted (for 1 of 4 drivers) and 2.3% better than distressed (for 3 of 4 drivers).