Key result
Competitive karting reduces rMSSD by ~55%, reflecting heightened autonomic activation without neuromuscular or cognitive impairments.
Why the study?
Competitive karting imposes high physiological and cognitive demands, but the acute effects of racing on heart rate variability, fatigue, neuromuscular function, and cognitive-motor performance remained unclear.
Does competitive karting alter heart rate variability, fatigue, neuromuscular function, and cognitive-motor performance in racing drivers compared to a control condition?
Does competitive karting alter heart rate variability, fatigue, neuromuscular function, and cognitive-motor performance in racing drivers compared to a control condition?
Effect estimate: p = 0.017 for rMSSD decrease post-qualifying vs post-control
Absolute Event Rate: 22.7% vs 50.1%
p-value: p=0.017
Competitive karting induces significant autonomic activation, reflected by decreased heart rate variability, without impairing neuromuscular or cognitive-motor performance.
Karting may acutely heighten autonomic stress without impairing performance; leaves open whether monitoring is warranted in motorsport.
Background/Objectives: Competitive karting places high physiological and cognitive demands on drivers. This field study investigated the acute effects of racing on heart rate variability (HRV), perceived fatigue and neuromuscular function, and cognitive-motor performance during an official event held under persistent rain. Methods: Longitudinal, repeated-measures design across two conditions: control (race video viewing) and competition (qualifying and race). Four drivers (Junior, X30 Senior, X30 Super Shifter) were assessed pre/post-control and post-qualifying/race on Day 1 (Saturday) and pre/post-race only on Day 2 (Sunday). Measures included continuous heart rate, pre/post HRV (HRV4Training; rMSSD, SDNN), perceived fatigue (ROF), bilateral handgrip strength, and visuomotor performance (reaction times and accuracy). Results: On Day 1, SDNN and rMSSD decreased significantly after qualifying versus pre- and post-control (p < 0.05), remaining globally lower post-race; no changes emerged in frequency-domain indexes. Perceived fatigue, handgrip strength, and mean/max reaction times did not change significantly; an improvement in minimum reaction time was observed post-race versus post-control (p = 0.033). rMSSD consistently decreased after racing on both days (p < 0.05) with no day × time interaction observed, and accuracy improved on Sunday, reflected by more correct attempts (hits) and fewer failed attempts (errors) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Racing was associated with lower time-domain HRV indices (rMSSD/SDNN), consistent with heightened autonomic activation without measurable decrements in handgrip-based neuromuscular function or cognitive-motor performance. The improved accuracy on Day 2 may be related to an increased level of physiological activation and readiness associated with race day. Routine HRV monitoring across race weekends is recommended to guide recovery decisions when subjective scales show limited immediate sensitivity. These findings are preliminary due to the small and heterogeneous sample and should be interpreted cautiously.
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Pires et al. (2026) studied Male karting drivers aged 12-45 years with competitive experience in national championship karting under wet-race conditions (n=4). Karting competition (qualifying and race sessions) vs. Control condition of viewing a karting race video was evaluated on Time-domain heart rate variability indices (rMSSD and SDNN) changes post-competition compared to control condition (p = 0.017 for rMSSD decrease post-qualifying vs post-control, p=0.017). Karting competition significantly decreased rMSSD from 50.1 to 22.7 post-qualifying (p=0.017), indicating heightened autonomic activation without neuromuscular or cognitive impairments.
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