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Influence of exercise intensity on the decision-making performance of experienced and inexperienced soccer players
Fabio E Fontana1, Oldemar Mazzardo, Comfort Mokgothu
1Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services Department, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the decision-making performance of experienced and inexperienced soccer players at four exercise intensities (rest, 40%, 60%, and 80% maximal aerobic power). The decision-making performance of inexperienced players was expected to demonstrate an inverted-U shape with increasing levels of exercise. For the experienced players, decision making was predicted to show no change in performance with increased exercise intensity. Thirty-two adult soccer players (16 experienced, 16 inexperienced) were asked to answer seven decision-making questions as quickly and accurately as possible for each exercise intensity. Results indicated that exercise does not affect the accuracy of decision making; however, the speed of decision making for experienced and inexperienced players improved with increased exercise intensity. These results suggest that physiologically induced arousal only affects speed of decision making.
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