Evaluation Argument On Nascar Driver Elite Athletes

Susan Neilson English 1010-126717 Evaluation Argument October 25, 2011 NASCAR Drivers Elite Athletes In 2011 Golden Tate, Detroit Lions wide receiver, tweeted that driving a car does not make someone athletic. In 2013 Donovan McNabb, retired NFL quarterback, made a comment that he did not consider Jimmie Johnson an athlete. The remarks were fueled when Jimmie Johnson, six-time champion in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, was nominated for Best Male Athlete at ESPN’s Espy Awards in 2011. Merriam-Webster defines an Athlete as a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina (â€Å"Athlete† 1). Auto Racing is recognized as a sport by the Association of IOC Recognised International†¦show more content†¦According to Potkanowicz, Edward S., and Ronald W. Mendel, racecar drivers heart rates have been recorded at 174.3 beats per minute (bpm), their bodies have endured repetitive g-loading up to 5.5 gravitational forces (g), and have withstand core body temperature of 102. 2 degrees Fahrenheit (4). A normal heart for adults ranges between 60-100 bpm. Racecar drivers have to be aerobically fit to sustain elevated heart rates. The average human can only handle up to 5g before passing out. Upper body strength is required if drivers are to withstand the continuous blows of g-force that can reach above 5g. An average core body temperature for humans is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent heat stroke, drivers practice hot yoga to help acclimate their bodies to the heat and exertion they will encounter on the track. In auto racing drivers must withstand all physiological stresses of their sport, if they lack in on aspect it can put their life and the life of fellow drivers in jeopardy. â€Å"Talk to high level athletes about their tactical preparation on of performance, and inevitably the words â€Å"concentration,† â€Å"attention,† or â€Å"focus† will be part of the conversation.† (Blumenstein 3). Elite Athletes undoubtedly are faced with psychological stress of performing their sport. In racecar driving those stresses can be heightened due the extreme nature of the sport. Racecar drivers are expected to multi-task at high level of speeds. They stay focused for long periods of time in