Psychophysiological measures of a SuperEnduro athlete during a world championship: an in-situ case study

Introduction SuperEnduro is a high-risk motorcycle sport with no prior empirical data. This case study analyzed an elite rider during the fifth round of the 2023/2024 SuperEnduro Grand Prix. Methods Psychological measures included core-, positive-, and negative affect, expected and perceived performance, mental and physical exhaustion, perceived risk of racing addiction, and a post-race interview. Physiological measures encompassed heart rate, caloric expenditure, work intensity, and training loads. Results Results showed a decline in core affect, with positive affect remaining high and negative affect low after three races. Anxiety decreased progressively, but perceived and objective performance remained low. Elevated physiological measures and subjective perceptions confirmed SuperEnduro’s intensity. The participant self-identified himself as addicted to racing. However, his addiction score was low, suggesting passion or emotional attachment—a blend of pleasure and pain—driving his commitment to race even when injured. Discussion These findings provide insight into the physical and psychological demands unique to SuperEnduro athletes.