[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

This science is why you love speed and power

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Drivers tested in the new MINI John Cooper Works Hatch with movie stunt driver Niki Faulkner at iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit

370% increase in self-reported anxiety and 100% increase in average heart rate – this increase is nearly four times that reported when watching The Shining

Results show driving a fast car can create more excitement than jumping out of a plane or proposing to a girlfriend

Tests conducted by the University of Portsmouth [full article] reveal that driving a powerful car can provoke a more dramatic physical response than enjoying a rollercoaster ride or jumping out of a plane.

Working with MINI’s new John Cooper Works Hatch, launched this summer, scientists from the University of Portsmouth’s Sport and Exercise Science department ran a series of physical, psychological and physiological tests to measure the effect the car had on a selection of drivers and stunt driver, of Rush and Mission Impossible 5 fame, Niki Faulkner.

Putting their foot down at the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit, the drivers’ self-recorded anxiety levels increased a massive 370 per cent from rest, whilst average heart rate increased 100 per cent to 181 beats per minute – this increase is nearly four times that reported when watching horror film The Shining or even jumping out of a plane, which has been recorded at 170 beats per minute.

Dr Chris Wagstaff explains, “In situations of fear and excitement, the body reacts according to a combination of our thoughts and survival instinct – reactions are faster, our heart rate increases.

“This is part of the evolutionary fight or flight response humans developed many hundreds of years ago. However, in the absence of natural predators to trigger such responses, humans occasionally seek out risks or thrills.

Key results:

• The average heart rate increased by 100% when driving
• The average heart rate increased by 80% whilst as a passenger
• The maximum heart rate achieved as a driver was 181 beats per minute, and was 153 beats per minute on average
• The maximum heart rate achieved as a passenger was 153 beats per minute, and was 127 beats per minute on average
• From rest to being a passenger self reported anxiety increased by 288%
• From rest to driving self reported anxiety increased by 370%
• Average reaction time performance improved by 6% after driving
• Average reaction time performance improved by 4% after being a passenger
• The maximum heart rate of a rider during a rollercoaster ride was 155 beats per minute
• The average beats per minute of someone jumping out of a plane was 170 beats per minute
• The maximum heart rate of someone proposing to their girlfriend was 130 beats per minute

[jzmundy]

Seems legit. Can confirm.

[GTATX]

I guess I need to quit gym and do Car dio more

[rr006rbc]

Originally Posted by GTATX

I guess I need to quit gym and do Car dio more

LOL. Or get a convertible and do shoulder presses while redlining it.

[pokerface]

Link to the University's press release here:

http://www.port.ac.uk/uopnews/2015/0...nd-heart-rate/

[300hp]

How does it compare to sex in terms of those stats, that's what the world wants to know

[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by Jason

Working with MINI’s new John Cooper Works Hatch, launched this summer, scientists from the University of Portsmouth’s Sport and Exercise Science department ran a series of physical, psychological and physiological tests to measure the effect the car had on a selection of drivers ...

You'd think MINI sales would be much higher with results like that.

[gvega702]

Originally Posted by 300hp

How does it compare to sex in terms of those stats, that's what the world wants to know

+1

[BTWoody]

That's why you buy an M car, scientifically proven to improve your health lol

[Diver]

They probably all saw the shining before. The first time it was awesome.

[krnnerdboy]

I'm interested in the new jcw mini. Where's the link on this post!!!

[loveskiing]

Thank you for this article. After reading it I've decided I want the ultimate experience and therefore I have decided I will have sex in the car while proposing to some woman while redlining the car in M mode...
If I never come back to the forum you'll know that I passed away with a shit eating grin on my face as my heart exploded in my chest

[Vigilant]

Norepinephrine and epinephrine release from the adrenal glands in response to an excitatory external or internal stimulus...I have the same response when the wife yells at me.

[Mavus]

they forgot this situation

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...nd-ankles.html

[beemerman1984]

Like all drugs you build a tolerance... Guess JCW is the gateway drug to ///M. Good marketing plan BMW.

[FogCityM3]

Great article...gives numbers to the feeling I get when I track my car. Literally feels like my heart is popping out of my chest!

[MSPORTWORLD]

How do I get my car payments covered by Obamacare?

[Pure]

Amazing...

[gangzoom]

Whe I to for a run I have an average HR of over 150 for the duration of the run (1 hr currently). It doesn't make me feel excited, just knackered

[M3 Number 86]

when i track im calm. i must be pro.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by krnnerdboy

I'm interested in the new jcw mini. Where's the link on this post!!!

You will love it. Amazing drive and scary what it can do but equally scary how much trouble you can get into!