Trunk extensor and flexor strength of long-distance race car drivers and physically active controls

Seventy percent of motor sports athletes report low back pain. Information on the physical capacity of race car drivers is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum trunk extensor and flexor strength of elite race car drivers and physically active controls. Thirteen elite race car drivers and 13 controls were measured in concentric mode for maximal trunk flexion and extension at 60 degrees center dot s-1 and 120 degrees center dot s-1. Peak torque (mean +/- s) at 60 degrees center dot s-1 in trunk extension was 283 +/- 80 N center dot m in the drivers and 260 +/- 88 N center dot m in controls (P0.05). At 120 degrees center dot s-1, drivers produced peak torques of 248 +/- 55 N center dot m compared with 237 +/- 74 N center dot m for controls (P0.05). Peak torques in flexion were less than in extension for both groups (60 degrees center dot s-1: drivers 181 +/- 56 N center dot m, controls 212 +/- 54 N center dot m, P0.05; 120 degrees center dot s-1: drivers 191 +/- 57 N center dot m, controls 207 +/- 48 N center dot m, P0.05). Individual ratios of flexion to extension forces exhibited ratios of 0.88 (60 degrees center dot s-1) and 0.93 (120 degrees center dot s-1) for controls and 0.66 (60 degrees center dot s-1) and 0.77 (120 degrees center dot s-1) for drivers (60 degrees center dot s-1: P0.05; 120 degrees center dot s-1: P0.05). The maximum strength performance capacity of the trunk muscles of elite motor sport athletes competing in long-distance racing did not differ from that of anthropometrically matched and physically active controls.