Respuestas psicofisiológicas del toreo profesional real y simulado: estudio de un caso Psychophysiological responses to real and simulated professional bullfighting: a case study

The aim of this study was to analyze variables associated with the performance of the bullfighter during the bullfight and tentadero (training for a real bullfight). Participants were monitored during both an official bullfight and a tentadero. Heart rate parameters were recorded with pulsometers, distance travelled, speeds and accelerations were recorded with GPS technology and anxiety was assessed with CSAI-2R questionnaire. Significant differences were found in the subscale of self-confidence between bullfight and tentadero (P=0.037; 5.36%). HR parameters reached by the bullfighter varied depending on the bull. Significant differences were obtained between the first bull and the second bull in maximal heart rate (P=0.010; -2.69%), and TRIMPs (P=0.022; -5.41%). There were no significant differences in the average speed reached during each fight, and the average speed the bullfighter maintained during the bullfight was around 2 km/h. In conclusion physical preparation may affect pre-competitive anxiety levels and the characteristics of the bull could affect bullfighter’s performance. The recording of HR, mechanical load and anxiety enables to customize training loads based on the performance shown during bullfighting.