A MotoGP biker’s body is as precise a machine as the motorcycle he rides. Riders are elite athletes who need a very specific profile to practice riding, since during racing, the body faces … Extreme physical demand in all aspects. It can be found from high temperatures to completely opposite weather conditions of cold, wind and rain. But, as if that were not enough, in these races the muscle tension is constant, they are subjected to severe demands, and any mistake pays dearly.
Dr. Angel Charte is the team medical director for the Quirónsalud MotoGP Championship, which ends on November 16 at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste (Valencia). He confirms that about 1,100 accidents are treated on average every year, of which about 8 are serious cases, and the most common diseases are those that affect the upper and lower parts of the body. “The most common injuries among these pilots are musculoskeletal injuries, not to mention serious injuries.“, he adds.
In the event of an accident, it takes about 15 to 20 seconds for medical teams to arrive, according to Dr. Chart, head of the internal medicine service at the Dexus University Hospital in Barcelona: “We have three units, ‘Omega’, fully equipped, like an intensive care unit in any hospital. Once the red flag is announced, it means there is a dangerous driver on the track, and ‘Omega 1 and 2’, located in strategic places, arrive at a maximum of 15-20 seconds.
The most common injuries
Thus, statistics indicate that the most common bones broken by pilots are the wrist, followed by the hand, and the clavicle, as detailed by Dr. Chart. At the same time, it was determined that there were also fractures of the ribs and some bones of the foot; Although the most common are those in the upper extremities.
But also, we must not forget, according to Alejandro Escolar de Miguel, physiotherapist at the MotoGP Quirónprevención health center, which is part of YesMedical services for the World Cup Three years ago, the injuries or illnesses of these athletes are closely related to the type of track, and a distinction can be made between injuries caused by trauma, as a result of accidents; And injuries resulting from the athlete’s performance, where muscle fatigue or overload occurs.
Angel Chart is the Team Medical Director for Quirónsalud MotoGP
“Injuries resulting from falls on the track depend on the fall itself, and here bone fractures or joint dislocations can appear. Looking at the muscular section, the musculoskeletal injury par excellence for motorcyclists is the compartment syndrome of the forearms, which can affect the flexor and/or extensor compartment of one or more muscle bellies,” highlights this expert.
Joints and muscle groups in the upper extremity
Specifically, the position on a motorcycle imposes uncomfortable positions on the rider, which sometimes makes it difficult to generate power, and where he hardly finds moments to relax or put aside the tension he has to exert while riding, as Escuela points out: “This means that they can switch moments while maintaining a lot of effort to maintain their position on the bike.in situations where they have to develop significant peaks of power when changing the direction of the motorcycle.
For this reason, this physiotherapist also remembers that in MotoGP, the corresponding joints and muscle groups of the upper limb, such as the shoulders or forearm muscles, usually suffer a lot, since riding a GP motorcycle requires a lot of these structures, for example, when it comes to moving the motorcycle and changing directions.
“Keeping in mind that the position on these motorcycles is not entirely comfortable, there is also a high demand on the back at all levels, cervical, dorsal and lumbar,” adds this expert.
Prepare for the season
At the same time, it should be noted that the Moto GP racer is a complete athlete profile, which together with his team pays attention to physical preparation to the smallest details, and as in any sport, the best prevention is good preparation. For this reason, as mentioned by the physiotherapist from the MotoGP Quirónprevención Health Centre, elite athletes train using multiple elements and stimuli, with different strength and resistance works, aerobic and anaerobic exercises, in addition to joint mobility, or from a psychological point of view.
“Within this, each one focuses on the most demanding areas of their sporting style, with these athletes specifically training the shoulder girdle, arms and forearms. Pilots are different, with different characteristics and preferences“, he adds.
In fact, it puts on the table the fact that there are instances of racing under extremely hot conditions where there have been drivers who have had a bad time, but also the opposite scenario, so it confirms once again that they are elite athletes, prepared, but equally knowledgeable to face competition at the highest level.
Important points to work on
But outside of physical preparation, muscle work and injury prevention, pilot hydration, as well as nutrition, also holds an important place, as explained.
Alejandro Escolar de Miguel, Physiotherapist at the MotoGP Quirónprevención Motorcycle Health Center
Alejandro Escuela de MiguelMotoGP Health Center physiotherapist Quirónprevención emphasizes that, like physical preparation, hydration or the field of sports psychology, nutrition plays a key role in the preparation, performance and recovery of riders, which is why they all adhere to the guidelines and individual programs detailed by nutritionists.
He insists that dehydration is an important factor in a Moto GP racer’s preparation, especially in races like Indonesia or Malaysia, where, apart from the physical demands of riding, they may be exposed to temperatures and humidity levels that make it necessary to plan properly in terms of hydration in the moments before the race, as well as in the days and weeks before.
“The riders are elite athletes who need a very specific profile for the sport of motorcycling.. They must be prepared for high physical demands in all respects, bearing in mind that during the races they are exposed to extreme demands, where they may encounter high temperatures, or completely adverse weather conditions,” concludes Alejando Escolar.
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