Salivary cortisol, heart rate and blood lactate during a qualifying trial and an official race in motorcycling competition.

AIM: The study aims to examine the physiological load on motorcycling competitors during a qualifying trial and an official race. METHODS: Twelve male riders participated in this study, in which their anthropometric data, heart rate, blood lactate (La) and salivary cortisol (C) concentrations were measured. Two saliva samples were taken on a resting day at 8 a.m. (30 min after awakening: [T(0)] and at 8 p.m. [T(1)] and 6 saliva samples were collected on the day of the qualifying trial and on the day of the official race [T(2) through T(7)]). RESULTS: During the race, as well as during the qualifying trial, heart rate was found to be >80-90% of the maximum heart rate. Blood La increased more than two-fold (peak 5.6+/-2.1 mM) as compared to resting values (2+/-0.1 mM). However, La were not statistically different between qualifying trial and race. C concentrations on the motorcycling day were found to be up to 3 times higher than those measured on the resting day. In fact, there was a progressive increase in the C concentrations on the motorcycling day, the values noted 10 min after the race being the highest. There was a significant decrease in C values 60 min after the race, but the concentration was maintained at a higher level for a longer period; the values reported at T(7) (8 p.m.; 4.3 h after the end of the race) were significantly higher than those reported at the same time on a resting day (T(1)). CONCLUSION: The examination of heart rate, blood La and salivary C concentrations in motorcycling on a circuit shows that this sport is highly stressful, and also that a metabolic involvement is required to control the motorcycle at a high speed. Thus, riders may benefit from a specific training program aimed at improving their cardiovascular fitness and strength.

How self-image and personality influence performance in an isolated environment.

The purpose of this research is to explore the relationships between self-image and personality characteristics with cognitive impairment in an isolated group during wintering. Cognitive performance is measured with the Stres Battery (SB), self-image by Abraham's Matrix of Intra- and Inter-Processes in Groups (MIPG), and interpersonal characteristics by the usual personality inventories. Results show that good cognitive performances are related to discordances between the real self and the ideal self and that bad performances are related to harmony between these two images. Moreover, the best cognitive performers have low scores in extroversion and assertiveness. The results are discussed in terms of specific adaptive reactions to wintering.

The relationship between salivary adrenocortical hormones changes and personality in elite female athletes during handball and volleyball competition.

Salivary cortisol, androstenedione delta 4, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 20 elite sportswomen were measured using radioimmunoassay in samples taken 5 min before and after a handball or volleyball competition. Three psychometric tests--State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Bortner, and Questionnaire de Personnalité pour Sportifs (questionnaire of personality for sports participants)--were used to evaluate the participants' personalities. Results indicated higher concentrations of cortisol and lower concentrations of delta 4 and DHEA in handball players before and after the competition. Cortisol values increased significantly during the competition in both groups. No changes were observed in androgen levels. The state of anxiety was higher in handball players, characterized by Pattern A behavior, whereas Pattern B behavior defined the volleyball players. The results suggest that adrenocortical changes during handball and volleyball competition are influenced by the different energy systems required by the two activities, individual personality characteristics, and the athlete's anxiety level relative to winning or losing.

[A methodological study in a space flight simulation context]. / Une etude methodologique lors d'une simulation espace.

To study the effects of isolation and confinement on small groups during long space flights, it is habitual to use closed hyperbaric ground chambers. For the first time, the European Space Agency made use of a nautral environment taking advantage of an Antarctic winter-over at the French Dumont d'Urville Station. The main objective of that study ("International Antarctic Psychological Programme"), was to compare different Russian tests used for training cosmonauts to a W. European approach validated during previous winter studies and European ground chamber simulations. Russian techniques appeared to be oriented to a narrow range of phenomena and unsuited to discern the adjustment to stress conditions.

How to measure human adaptation in extreme environments: the case of Antarctic wintering-over.

BACKGROUND: Whether wintering-over causes cognitive and sensory impairment and associated adaptation problems is still a subject of debate. Conflicting results reported in the literature may be due to the difference in the experimental tasks. Moreover, interpersonal variability can hide the effects. HYPOTHESIS: Performance on cognitive and psychomotor tasks can be an indicator of adaptation problems. METHODS: Subjects were 10 scientists and 6 technicians (both clinically normal) who wintered-over for a year in the Antarctic. A subset of tasks of the AGARD battery of Standardized Tests for Research with Environmental Stressors (SB) was completed eight times during the isolation. To assess adaptation, the adaptability questionnaire (AQ) was completed by the physician before every performance test. RESULTS: SB showed a sensitive period of adaptation at mid-winter and at the end of the isolation, but the performance in the different tasks did not deteriorate exactly at the same time. No systematic relationship between AQ notations and SB performances was noted. However, three subjects showed significant positive correlations: r > 0.8, p < 0.05 (i.e., low adaptation = low performance). CONCLUSION: Some clinically normal individuals can experience adaptation problems, and SB tasks can be an indicator of these problems when comparisons are done at an individual level.

Psychological study of a crew in long-term space flight simulation.

This research derives from a 60-day isolation study realized for the European Space Agency (ESA) as a simulation of space flights. Three goals were pursued in this study: (a) to study individual and group responses to the stress factors specific to the simulation; (b) to make a critical comparison of a variety of tools and methods used for this purpose; and (c) to express recommendations for future research. Direct methods (questionnaires, tests) and indirect methods (observation) were used in an individual and a whole group assessment. The group did not show important stress manifestations during the isolation period. It maintained its cohesion by opposing the external authority. Some tools were more efficient than others: The qualitative and indirect methods have revealed much more information than the quantitative or direct methods that reinforced one's defense to avoid criticism.

Group dynamics during the EXEMSI isolation study. Experimental Campaign for the European Manned Space Infrastructure.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the social behavior, interrelations, cohesion, efficiency and team formation of the crew during 60 days of isolation and confinement, to make a critical comparison of a variety of test methods used for this purpose and to formulate recommendations for their applications in selection, training and support for future studies of this kind. The study consisted of three phases: (1) the pre-isolation period, in which initial individual and group assessment were made to understand the motivation, characteristics, and styles of the crew members, the state of the crew, and to make a prognosis for the behavior of the group and its members, (2) the isolation period, with tests and observations to follow and analyze behavior and group dynamics of the crew, and to detect manifestations of stress, and (3) the post-isolation period with final assessment and debriefing. During these three periods individual and group tests were carried out. Direct methods, questionnaires and tests, as well as indirect methods, observations of behavior, were used. These had cognitive, affective-emotional and social components; they were quantitative, qualitative or a combination. Before isolation the crew members expressed strong confidence in the team and in their own personal capability. The leadership of the Commander seemed uncontested. Crew functioning during this period was conflict-free, but was structured in a rather rigid and defensive way (isolation of affects, denial of anxiety). Apparently, the members strongly needed to present a good image image of themselves. The relatively short period of the experiment, and the absence of real risk suggested that the crew would be able to maintain their cohesion, but in a real spaceflight situation this behavior could be inadequate and even dangerous. The pre-isolation prognosis for crew behavior during isolation was validated to a large extent. During isolation there were no clear manifestations of stress. Nevertheless, the confinement and isolation were experienced as the major stress factors. The crew members described themselves as a heterogeneous but harmonious group that was successful in their mission. In fact, the team maintained its cohesion by opposing external authority, using management as a scapegoat. Occasionally, in times of crisis, they also criticized ground crew. The Commander supported this attitude. Strongly differences in personality and behavior were noted. Analysis of the sociometric data showed that the asserted harmony was more apparent than real. It is questionable whether the group cohesion would have persisted in a life threatening crisis or even in a prolongation of the experiment. The most reliable instruments for this type of survey seem to be: group methods, non-obstructive tests, indirect instruments, and qualitative tools. The least reliable are: strictly quantitative methods, self-evaluations, standard debriefing techniques, since these reinforced in most cases subjects' defenses in an unconscious avoidance of criticism. Several recommendations were made for the organization, definition of objectives, experiment selection, crew selection, roles of external management and personnel. In particular, it is felt to be necessary to explain the aims of the mission to the subjects, to give clear and complete information, to establish confident and cooperative relations with the crew. It is essential to allow dialogue, to take opinions and suggestions of the crew seriously, and to establish clear rules of confidentiality.