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Cognitive Fatigue Influences Time-On-Task during Bodyweight Resistance Training Exercise
James R Head1, Matthew S Tenan1, Andrew J Tweedell1
1U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Human Research and Engineering Directorate Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA.
Frontiers in Physiology
|September 17, 2016
Summary
Cognitive fatigue impairs athletic performance, reducing time-on-task during bodyweight exercises. Athletes experienced less engagement despite no change in repetitions, indicating a subtle but significant impact on training consistency.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Sports Science
Background:
- Cognitive fatigue is known to impair continuous physical performance.
- The impact of cognitive fatigue on resistance training, specifically bodyweight exercises, remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effects of a cognitively fatiguing task on bodyweight resistance training performance in amateur athletes.
- To determine if cognitive fatigue influences repetitions completed, time-on-task, perceived exertion, heart rate, or metabolic expenditure during exercise.
Main Methods:
- 18 amateur athletes participated in a randomized, repeated-measures design.
- Participants completed a full-body bodyweight exercise task after either a 52-minute cognitive fatigue (vigilance) intervention or a control (video) intervention.
- Data were collected over two sessions separated by one week, with interventions counterbalanced.
Main Results:
- Cognitive fatigue was rated with a significantly higher workload and greater energetic arousal.
- No significant difference was found in the number of repetitions completed.
- Cognitively fatigued athletes showed decreased percent time-on-task (57% vs. 60%) compared to the control condition (p=0.04).
- No significant differences were observed in Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), heart rate, or metabolic expenditure between conditions.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive fatigue does not significantly affect the number of repetitions in bodyweight resistance training.
- Cognitive fatigue leads to reduced time-on-task during bodyweight resistance exercise, suggesting a potential decrease in training quality or consistency.
- Further research should explore the practical implications of reduced time-on-task on long-term training adaptations.
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