This study investigates the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and driving behavior in a highway environment using a driving simulator. A total of 46 young drivers aged 19 to 27 years participated in the experiment. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed through the Queen’s College Step Test and heart rate monitoring, allowing participants to be classified into high-fitness and low-fitness groups based on estimated maximum oxygen consumption. Each participant completed three simulated highway driving scenarios under varying traffic and lighting conditions. Driving performance data were continuously recorded, while additional individual and behavioral characteristics were collected through a structured questionnaire. The analysis focused on key performance indicators, including headway distance variability, average speed, and time to collision. Statistical analysis was conducted using regression models. The results indicate that higher physical fitness is associated with greater adaptability in driving behavior, reflected in increased headway variability and slightly higher driving speeds. At the same time, high-fitness drivers exhibited longer time to collision, suggesting improved anticipation and more effective management of traffic conditions. Environmental factors, particularly traffic volume and lighting conditions, remained dominant in shaping driving behavior. Overall, the findings suggest that physical fitness contributes to a more adaptive driving style on highways. By integrating physiological condition into the analysis of driver behavior, this study highlights the importance of considering health-related factors in road safety research and provides insights for developing preventive strategies targeting young drivers.
| ID | pj291 |
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