Athletic Training For Race Car Drivers
PitFit's Jim Leo is interviewed by WIBC for this article on racing and fitness.
Many people may not consider race car drivers real athletes, but the fitness training they do and stress their bodies endure tells a much different story.
Jim Leo, founder and president of PitFit Training, says drivers do a lot of fitness training. That training may include everything from cardiovascular and weight training to boxing and MMA fighting to non-conventional methods like tire-flipping and rock climbing. Leo says the type of training depends on a driver's needs and preferences, but it all can enhance their performance and their response to impact and injury. Certain kinds of training can help a driver's reflexes to prevent a crash or better maneuver a course. Leo says that when toned and conditioned, the muscles in the body can act as armor and lessen the severity of an injury sustained in a crash. Leo gave the example of Will Power, who was injured in a practice accident in California in 2009, but was able to heal and start the 2010 season where he won the first two races. Once upon a time, his injury would have ended his career. Leo says it's only been in the last 10- 15 years that fitness training has become the norm among race car drivers, but the results have proved the benefits.
IU HEALTH & PITFIT PARTNERS WITH ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT
INDIANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH REACHES SPORTS MEDICINE DEAL WITH RACING CHAMPIONS
IU Health and PitFit Training join Andretti Autosport to enhance on and off track performance
INDIANAPOLIS (May 8, 2013) - Indiana University Health is now the official sports medicine and sports performance provider for Indianapolis-based Andretti Autosport®, based on a newly formed partnership between the two organizations.
Through the multi-year agreement, IU Health will provide Andretti Autosport with sports performance coaches to train staff and pit crew on a weekly basis, in coordination with performance race partner PitFit Training, sports medicine specialists to perform in-season injury evaluations and certified athletic trainers who will travel with the championship racing team for select IZOD IndyCar Series events taking place throughout North America, including major racing events in Detroit, Houston and Toronto. IU Health will also provide on-site sports medicine services for Andretti Autosport drivers, including Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe, E.J. Viso and reigning IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the month of May.
In addition, IU Health will provide Andretti Autosport's executives, employees and their spouses with access and discounts to all adult fitness programs hosted at its Carmel-based IU Health Sports Performance facility.
"This agreement brings our nationally ranked health system together with a nationally renowned champion racing organization to enhance performance, prevent and treat injuries, and improve safety," said Scott Handlon, business director of IU Health Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. "Now, Andretti Autosport athletes and staff have access to our Olympic-level training facility, expert training staff and our comprehensive, medically integrated training program here at IU Health Sports Performance."
At IU Health Sports Performance, nationally certified specialists customize sport-specific strength and conditioning programs that combine medically integrated sports performance training and sports science to help athletes and active individuals maximize their speed, agility and power while reducing their risk of injury.
"We are really excited about this partnership with IU Health Sports Performance," said said Doug Bresnahan, Vice President of Marketing Partnerships for Andretti Autosport. "So much effort goes into preparing our race cars for optimum on-track performance and we now have a partner that can bring that same level of focus and attention into maximizing our team's overall fitness level, health and wellbeing. As an organization, it's in our DNA to seek continual self-improvement and IU Health Sports Performance will help us accomplish this across every facet of our company."
For more information about IU Health Sports Performance or PitFit Training, please call: 317.848.JUMP (5867) or visit: www.iuhealth.org/sportsperformance.
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