Motorsports medicine: An emerging subspecialty ripe for growth

Motorsports is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, yet its medical infrastructure has lagged behind other professional sports. While leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL have long-established, dedicated medical teams as a core part of athlete care, the field of motorsports has only recently started to make similar advancements.

Every time a driver steps into a racecar, their body faces extreme stress: grueling G-forces, intense heat, constant vibration and significant cognitive strain. These aren’t minor stressors; a split-second lapse in concentration can yield serious injury, long-term musculoskeletal damage and even life-threatening emergencies if the proper training and medical attention are not accounted for in advance.

Within the last decade, the field of motorsports medicine has emerged as a rapidly evolving subspecialty, bridging the gap between emergency medicine, sports medicine and human performance. Below is an overview of the common health concerns and injuries racecar drivers face, as well as the reasons osteopathic physicians are particularly well-suited to caring for motorsports drivers. Furthermore, this article also highlights exciting research in the field taking place at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) and Michigan State University’s Department of Kinesiology.

The history of motorsports medicine

The modern framework of this field can be traced back to Eric “Sid” Watkins, MD (aka Prof), who served as the first chief medical officer of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1 (F1) Racing from 1978 to 2004. In the aftermath of the tragic death of Ronnie Peterson during the 1978 Italian Grand Prix, which had no organized system for rapid medical response to crashes, Dr. Watkins advocated for a permanent medical car and specialized trackside teams.

Following the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994, Dr. Watkins again led major safety overhauls in F1, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. His work drastically reduced the fatality rate in F1, where death had been a regular occurrence.

Today, that foundation has matured into a clinical and academic discipline. In 2020, physicians at Indiana University School of Medicine established the Motorsports Medicine Fellowship, the first formal training program dedicated to preparing physicians to provide the best medical care in the fast-racing environment.

On the academic side of medicine, researchers from Michigan State University (Spartan Motorsport Performance Lab) and the University of Florida have laid scientific groundwork for motorsport physiology, establishing performance benchmarks and advancing our understanding of the physical and cognitive demands placed on drivers.

Their research has not only highlighted the unique physiological challenges of motorsports but has also paved the way for improved safety protocols, injury prevention strategies and performance optimization techniques tailored to the sport’s high-intensity environment.

Drivers face extreme physical demands

Unlike traditional athletes, motorsport athletes experience extreme physical demands that can require a specialized training approach and medical care. As mentioned earlier, drivers in F1 and IndyCar races can experience up to five to six Gs in sharp turns, forces comparable to those that astronauts endure during space launches.

Cockpit temperatures frequently exceed 120°F (50°C), leading to heat exhaustion, dehydration and impaired cognitive function. This exposes drivers to constant full-body stress that can cause musculoskeletal misalignment and injuries, posing significant risks, especially when reaching speeds of 200 mph.

How DOs can help drivers

With their extra training in the musculoskeletal system, DOs are well-suited to support motorsports drivers. Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) offers a non-invasive approach to mitigating the challenges mentioned in the previous paragraph. Techniques such as muscle energy, myofascial release and counterstrain can help relieve musculoskeletal strain, restore mobility and improve circulation, which could play a major role in counteracting the effects of high G-forces and whole-body vibration.

In motorsports, drivers are often reluctant to take medications that could hinder their performance or driving ability. This is where OMM offers a key advantage by allowing them to manage discomfort and promote recovery without the pharmacological side effects. As such, ongoing research at MSUCOM is exploring the common somatic dysfunctions prevalent in motorsports and MSUCOM’s osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal medicine residency program is helping establish the foundation and formalize the role of OMM in motorsports.

As the field of motorsports medicine continues to grow, an increasing demand for specialized care that addresses the unique physical demands placed on racecar drivers will expand as well. OMM provides a unique opportunity to provide a non-invasive, holistic approach that works in tandem with traditional medical treatments towards advancing both driver safety and performance longevity. Currently, motorsport medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and DOs are uniquely positioned to help drive this exciting frontier forward.

Getting involved

While I was an undergraduate student at MSU, my motorsport medicine journey began when I joined the Spartan Motorsport Performance Lab (SMPL) in 2021. Initially, I helped with data collection, literature reviews and day-to-day lab responsibilities. Fast forward five years, I’m now working on research projects in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR and IMSA, all while also studying as an osteopathic medical student. This experience has provided the opportunities and avenues to life-long relationships and experiences including on-site data collection at events such as the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot, Belgium.

For students, residents or physicians interested in motorsports medicine, the pathway doesn’t have to start in a racecar or at a racetrack. It can begin with volunteering at the first aid station at local races, connecting with trackside medical teams, research involvement opportunities (such as the SMPL) and a willingness to learn. The International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS) is a global organization based in Indianapolis that connects physicians, scientists and safety professionals working in motorsports.

Motorsports medicine is not a field you pursue for financial gain or a predictable schedule. The hours can be long, the environment is unpredictable and the path isn’t always clearly defined. However, for those to pursue motorsports medicine with purpose, the exciting work becomes its own reward.

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