Effect of four fatigue levels on performance and learning of a novel dynamic balance skill

This study was to investigate the effect of fatigue on the performance and learning of the Bachman ladder task to determine if the relationship between activation and both the performance and learning data would support the inverted-U theory. Male Ss (N=48) were randomly assigned to four groups. A level of fatigue as determined by HR (Control, 120 BPM, 150 BPM, and 180 BPM) was assigned to each group. Each S was fatigued to his assigned level prior to the task and following each trial, was given 20 trials on Day 1 to learn the task while at his designated level, and then was given 20 additional trials on Day 2 under control conditions. On Day 1 150 and 180 BPM impaired performance of the motor task. The learning score data indicated that 150 and 180 BPM had a detrimental effect on learning of the task. Both the activation-performance and the activation-learning relationships partially supported the inverted-U theory.