David P. Ferguson

Professional motorsport imposes unique psychological demands that can significantly impact athlete well-being. This mixed-methods case study explored the interplay between teamwork perceptions and mental health outcomes in two professional drivers with over a decade of experience. Data were collected longitudinally using the Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sport-Short form, Athlete Burnout Questionnaire, and BBC Well-Being Scale at three time points (pre-, mid-, and postseason), complemented by in-depth postseason interviews. Quantitative results revealed consistently high teamwork perceptions, low burnout perceptions, and elevated well-being scores. Thematic analysis highlighted that effective teamwork dynamics mitigated negative mental health outcomes, whereas communication and psychological safety were key factors in sustaining performance. This study underscores the importance of tailored psychological support strategies in motorsport and demonstrates how mixed-methods research can capture the nuanced challenges of elite sport without disrupting performance. These findings offer actionable insights for optimizing athlete well-being and team cohesion in high-stakes environments.

Previous research has demonstrated that male competitive bodybuilders are at high risk for muscle dysmorphia, disordered eating behaviors, orthorexia, and social physique anxiety; however, these pathologies have been primarily studied in competitive bodybuilders, with limited attention to their recreational counterparts. This study sought to determine whether these group distinctions exist. A sample of male competitive ( n = 70) and recreational bodybuilders ( n = 72) and a comparison group of esport athletes ( n = 70) completed a survey consisting of four validated questionnaires. One-way multivariate analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests showed competitive and recreational bodybuilders did not differ significantly on muscle dysmorphia, orthorexia, and disordered eating behavior, but both groups differed significantly for esport athletes. Hierarchical regression analyses found that group membership and social physique anxiety ( R ² = .406) predicted muscle dysmorphia, which in turn predicted disordered eating behaviors ( B = 0.45, p < .001) and orthorexia ( B = .19, p < .001).

Compared with Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) has received relatively little research attention. Nevertheless, across several clinical trials a common finding is that P. quinquefolius extracts improve aspects of mood, mental fatigue, and cognitive function. This review details the findings from double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trials which included assessment of cognitive performance, fatigue, or mood, individually or in combination. Limited fatigue benefits were observed in cancer patients at high doses (2000mg). The most notable effects at lower doses (100mg-400 mg) included enhancement of attentional and working memory performance in healthy adults and in Schizophrenia patients. Several studies also highlighted potential mechanisms underlying the cognitive effects of P. quinquefolius. These include increased activation of frontoparietal neural circuits and, in the context of the gut-brain axis, alterations of the human gut microbiome composition. The effects are also consistent with cholinergic modulation. Such effects suggest that P. quinquefolius extract may have benefits to everyday cognitive function.

Introduction: Race car driving is a physically and cognitively demanding sport requiring rapid decision-making under extreme conditions. While physical training and hydration strategies have been explored, few studies have investigated nutritional interventions to enhance cognitive or driving performance. This study examined the effects of Cereboost, an American Ginseng extract, on mood, cognitive function, and simulated driving performance in professional race car drivers.Methods: Fifty-eight licensed drivers completed a four-phase, within-subjects protocol (baseline, acute, chronic, and acute-on-chronic) involving 200 mg/day Cereboost supplementation. Assessments included validated mood questionnaires, cognitive testing via the Senaptec Sensory Station (spatial memory and split attention), and 30-minute sessions in a professional-grade racing simulator. Statistical analyses included ANOVA with Holm-Bonferroni corrections.Results: Cereboost had no statistically significant effects on mood or cognitive function after correction for multiple comparisons. However, acute-on-chronic supplementation significantly improved simulated driving performance, with a 3-second reduction in lap time and faster throttle application in corners (adjusted P = 0.000003, Cohen's d = –1.274). Participants reported subjective improvements in mental acuity (97%) and driving performance (94%).Conclusion: While Cereboost did not significantly alter mood or cognitive test outcomes, sustained supplementation enhanced simulated driving performance in professional drivers. These findings suggest potential benefits of nootropic supplementation for motorsport performance, warranting further investigation in on-track settings.

While physical activity reduces the risk for chronic disease development, evidence suggests those experiencing early life growth-restriction do not express positive adaptations in response to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of low birthweight (LBW) on markers of chronic disease, adult physical activity, and the response to physical activity engagement in a longitudinal human cohort study. Data from the Framingham Offspring Cohort were organized to include participants with birthweight, physical activity, and chronic disease biomarker/treatment data available at two timepoints (exam 5 and exam 9, 19-year difference). A two-way ANCOVA was performed to determine the association of LBW and sex on physical activity engagement (63.0% female, 10.4% LBW). A multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine the associations of low birthweight and sex on chronic disease development while adjusting for physical activity. LBW was associated with elevated blood glucose and triglycerides (Exam 9). Though not statistically significant (p = 0.08), LBW females potentially spent more time in sedentary activity at exam 5 than LBW males and normal birthweight (NBW) females. LBW males spent significantly more time (p = 0.03) sedentary at exam 9 compared to NBW males and LBW females. There were no differences in the likelihood of chronic disease treatment between groups. Chronic disease biomarkers remained elevated when adjusted for total physical activity. In conclusion, LBW participants in the Framingham Offspring Cohort were not more likely to be treated for chronic diseases when controlling for physical activity engagement, though biomarkers of chronic disease remained elevated.

Race car drivers not only face high-speed challenges but also need to manage complex team dynamics and sponsor relations and are exposed to unique fan access while competing. This study examines the unique psychological aspects of motorsports and how race car drivers currently train psychological skills to match these distinctive demands. Adopting a phenomenological approach, this study involved semistructured interviews with 11 professional race car drivers. The interviews focused on drivers’ psychological experiences during racing and their psychological preparation. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed key psychological factors impacting performance. These included concentration, confidence, anxiety, managing emotional states, unique social aspects, and motivation. Drivers also had an interest in psychological-skills training but reported a lack of resources and consistent application. This study highlights the unique psychological challenges presented in motorsports, and the findings underscore the need for targeted psychological-skills training and resources for race car drivers.

Postnatal growth restriction (PGR) can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) potentially due to impairments in oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) within cardiomyocyte mitochondria. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if PGR impairs cardiac metabolism, specifically OxPhos. FVB (Friend Virus B-type) mice were fed a normal-protein (NP: 20% protein), or low-protein (LP: 8% protein) isocaloric diet 2 weeks before mating. LP dams produce similar to 20% less milk, and pups nursed by LP dams experience reduced growth into adulthood as compared to pups nursed by NP dams. At birth (PN1), pups born to dams fed the NP diet were transferred to LP dams (PGR group) or a different NP dam (control group: CON). At weaning (PN21), all mice were fed the NP diet. At PN22 and PN80, mitochondria were isolated for respirometry (oxygen consumption rate, JO2${J_{{{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}}}}$) and fluorimetry (reactive oxygen species emission, JH2O2${J_{{{\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{2}}}{{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{2}}}}}$) analysis measured as baseline respiration (LEAK) and with saturating ADP (OxPhos). Western blotting at PN22 and PN80 determined protein abundance of uncoupling protein 3, peroxiredoxin-6, voltage-dependent anion channel and adenine nucleotide translocator 1 to provide further insight into mitochondrial function. ANOVAs with the main effects of diet, sex and age with alpha-level of 0.05 was set a priori. Overall, PGR (7.8 +/- 1.1) had significant (P = 0.01) reductions in respiratory control in complex I when compared to CON (8.9 +/- 1.0). In general, our results show that PGR led to higher electron leakage in the form of free radical production and reactive oxygen species emission. No significant diet effects were found in protein abundance. The observed reduced respiratory control and increased ROS emission in PGR mice may increase risk for CVD in mice. What is the central question of this study?Postnatal growth restriction (PGR) in early life is associated with cardiovascular disease: what are the mechanisms with regard to oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos)?What is the main finding and its importance?PGR during development reduces cardiac metabolism through impairments in OxPhos. Our results show the PGR heart has higher electron leakage in the form of free radical production and reactive oxygen species emission. These findings are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Simply put, a brief period of growth restriction in early life has long-lasting effects on cardiac metabolism in adulthood.

Introduction: Growth restriction (GR) reduces ribosome abundance and skeletal muscle mass in mice. A reduction in skeletal muscle mass increases the risk of frailty and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. As eccentric type exercise increases muscle mass, this investigation aimed to determine if eccentric loading of skeletal muscle via downhill running (DHR) increased muscle mass in GR mice. Methods: Mice were growth-restricted either gestational undernutrition (GUN, n = 8 litters), postnatal undernutrition (PUN, n = 8 litters), or were not restricted (CON, n = 8 litters) via a validated cross-fostering nutritive model. On postnatal day (PN) 21, all mice were weaned to a healthy diet, isolating the period of GR to early life as seen in humans. At PN45, mice were assigned to either a DHR (CON, n = 4 litters; GUN, n = 4 litters; PUN, n = 4 litters) or sedentary (SED: CON, n = 4 litters; GUN, n = 4 litters; PUN, n = 4 litters) group. Downhill running (16% decline: 18 m·min⁻¹) was performed in 30-min bouts, three times per week, for 12 wk on a rodent treadmill. At PN129, the quadriceps femoris was dissected and evaluated for mass, myofiber size and type, and molecular markers of growth. Results: Following training, CON-DHR mice having larger cells than CON-SED, GUN-SED, PUN-SED, and PUN-DHR mice (P < 0.05). The PUN group (as compared with CON) had reduced body mass (P < 0.001), upstream binding factor abundance (P = 0.012), phosphor-mTOR (P < 0.001), and quadriceps mass (P = 0.02). The GUN and PUN groups had increased MuRF1 abundance (P < 0.001) compared with CON (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The blunted response to training suggests GR mice may have anabolic resistance when exposed to eccentric type exercise.

Race car drivers are often hypohydrated during a race. The FluidLogic drink system is a hands-free, prompted drinking system that is hypothesized to increase the likeliness of drivers' consuming fluids and thereby mitigating hypohydration. To test the hypothesis, 20 elite professional race car drivers participated in a 2-day cross-over study in which they drove on a race simulator in an environmental chamber that was heated to regulation cockpit temperature (38°C). Drivers used either the FluidLogic drink system or a standard in-car water bottle system (Control) on one of each testing day. The results indicated that there was consistent fluid consumption with the FluidLogic system, while the Control condition elicited fluid consumption in bolus doses. The Control condition was associated with moderate (0.5%) increased core body temperature (P < 0.05) and substantial (3.3%) increased urine-specific gravity (P < 0.001) as compared to the FluidLogic condition. Driving performance metrics indicated that lap times during the Control Condition were 5.1 ± 1.4 (4.1%) seconds slower (P < 0.05) than the FluidLogic Condition, due to driving errors that occurred in the high-speed corners. Based on these results, prompted hands-free drinking can mitigate hypohydration and performance loss in automobile racing drivers.