| So does NASCAR driver physical conditioning matter. | | | | exercises so as to optimize the processing of |
| Some would debate that drivers are not athletes but | | | | oxygen by the body. |
| one must consider the conditions inside of a stock | | | | Part of any good physical athletic training is the |
| car race vehicle. The interiors of these cars are not | | | | proper amount of nutrition and rest and NASCAR |
| designed for driver comfort with air conditioning and | | | | driver physical conditioning is no exception to this. By |
| surround sound. Everything about a stock car is | | | | including the proper amount of nutrition and rest in |
| focused on speed not on comfort. So NASCAR | | | | NASCAR driver physical conditioning, the driver can |
| driver physical conditioning must be such that it builds | | | | maintaining alertness and quick reflexes which are |
| a drivers endurance to withstand some harsh | | | | crucial to a safe drive. Not getting the proper amount |
| conditions and Gforces. And, the NASCAR driver | | | | of rest can cause a driver to make mistakes which |
| physical conditioning is very similar to athletes in other | | | | at 200 mph could be dangerous and even fatal. |
| sports except different areas are built up. | | | | Without the proper nutrition and rest in the drivers |
| The temperatures in the drives cockpit of a race car | | | | physical conditioning, a driver can become confused |
| can reach around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine | | | | and disoriented during the race. This is especially true |
| this temperature with a 500 lap race at 200 mph | | | | when combining the lack of air in the cockpit mixed |
| along with lack of air flow and you will see that | | | | with carbon monoxide fumes and tremendous G |
| NASCAR driver physical conditioning to build in | | | | forces which cause disorientation as well. G forces |
| endurance is critical. Plus, a NASCAR driver will need | | | | can also affect vision but proper nutrition and |
| to steer and maneuver a 3,400 pound vehicle around | | | | vitamins combat against their effects. |
| curves, other cars, and over bumps. This can cause a | | | | NASCAR driver physical conditioning also includes |
| lot of impacting against the driver plus just the strain | | | | weight training but not in order to build mass. The |
| of controlling the steering wheel. Then there are the | | | | weight training performed by a driver is to build up |
| G forces that will result from banking turns at speeds | | | | strength for steering and breaking. It is also so that |
| close to 200 mph causing pressure on the drivers | | | | the drivers body can withstand the abuse from |
| torso as it presses against the side of the vehicle. | | | | bouncing around and getting slammed from excessive |
| Oxygen is a problem too. Since the cars are very | | | | Gforces. |
| aerodynamic so as to increase speed, the air is | | | | NASCAR driver physical conditioning separates those |
| guided around the car but does not reach the inside. | | | | who can make it for an entire racing event and |
| The drivers cockpit is not pressurized like an aircraft. | | | | those who would wear out during the qualification |
| So, the driver has to be able to process what | | | | races. It is very important and the sport should be |
| oxygen he gets very efficiently. Therefore, NASCAR | | | | taken just as serious as any other professional sport. |
| driver physical conditioning will include aerobic | | | | |