CARDIOVASCULAR DRIFT 1
The Concept of Cardiovascular Drift
Indya E. Branch
Liberty University
EXSC 510
Dr. Justin Kilian
April 10, 2022
CARDIOVASCULAR DRIFT 2
Why does a cardiovascular athlete, such as former Tour de France champion Chris
Froome, have to be aware of the concept of cardiovascular drift? Explain in great detail to
this athlete what cardiovascular drift is and also identify the factors that will affect his
cardiovascular drift during a long cycling training ride.
Prolonged exercise induces cardiovascular drift. Cardiovascular drift is best defined as a
rise in heart rate and a decrease in stroke volume over time during extended exercise such as
cycling, running, or walking (Souissi et al., 2021). Essentially, there are physiological changes in
heart performance that occur because of strenuous exercise. The drift occurs when the heart rate
and stroke volume shift and the cardiac output is constant. The drift typically occurs
approximately after 10 minutes of prolonged moderate-intensity exercise (Wingo et al., 2012).
Although the drift is mainly cause by an increase in core body temperature, the cause could also
be related to an alter in cardiac and/or vascular function. Specifically, it is due to “the peripheral
displacement of blood to the skin as a part of thermoregulation and the tachycardia that decreases
ventricular filling time”. These causes both reduce stroke volume (Souissi et al., 2021).
The Tour de France is known to be the most difficult bike race. It takes place in France
over the course of 23 days for over 2,000 miles. This race is a perfect way to test athlete’s
endurance and speed at the same time. However, there are many factors that could affect a cyclist
cardiovascular drift during exercise that could ultimately affect their endurance and speed. To
name a few, these factors include internal temperature, air temperature, hydration, and the
amount of muscle tissue activated during exercise. It is important to note that the environment
that an athlete competes or trains in, is a factor that will affect the athlete’s drift. A warm or
neutral environment is typically a burden Physical activity completed in a warm/hot environment
has a greater increase in heart rate and a greater decrease in stroke volume and VO2 max,
compared competing in a cold environment (Cureton, 2012). Dehydration is another factor to
CARDIOVASCULAR DRIFT 3
consider that will affect drift. It is influenced by the outside temperature, internal temperature,
hydration, and the amount of muscle tissue stimulated during activity. Dehydration will reduce
the amount of blood returning to the heart. In result, the stroke volume decreases, and the heart
rate increases.
Throughout the Tour de France and prior to, athletes should consume proper nutrition
and hydration to prepare their bodies for this prolonged exercise. A cardiovascular athlete, like a
cyclist for the Tour de France, should be aware of any phenomenon that increases their heart rate,
specifically cardiovascular drift. As stated previously, the drift is a result of an increase in body
temperature, a decrease in hydration, and a decrease in plasma volume. For this chosen sport, the
intensity and longevity require the heart to work hard. Cycling requires stamina, endurance, and
good heart health. As mentioned before, hydration is a vital aspect regarding cardiovascular drift.
It fights the increase in core body temperature as well as maintaining the blood volume.
Therefore, Chris Froome should hydrate before and during exercise to reduce the drift. Proper
hydration will also combat the body from overheating in warm and hot environments.
When athletes can understand the effects of concepts like cardiovascular drift, they are
able to avoid and combat the affects. The knowledge of awareness can also help athletes to
prevent dehydration and fatigue so that they are able to compete during prolonged exercise.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRIFT 4
References
Cureton, K. (2012). Cardiovascular Drift During Heat Stress. Exercise and Sport Sciences
Reviews.,40(2), 88-94. https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e31824c43af
Souissi, A., Haddad, M., Dergaa, I., Ben Saad, H., & Chamari, K. (2021). A new
perspective on cardiovascular drift during prolonged exercise. Life Sciences, 287, 120109.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120109
Wingo, J. E., Ganio, M. S., & Cureton, K. J. (2012). Cardiovascular drift during heat stress:
implications for exercise prescription. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 40(2), 88–94.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JES.0b013e31824c43af
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
