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Published on: July 27, 2015
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Mental Fatigue and Physical and Cognitive Performance During a 2-Bout Exercise Test.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
|September 28, 2017
Summary
Mental fatigue did not impact physical or cognitive performance in the 2-bout exercise protocol. However, subjective fatigue ratings were higher, suggesting mentally demanding tasks should be avoided during rest periods.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Psychology
Background:
- The 2-bout exercise protocol is used to diagnose nonfunctional overreaching and overtraining syndrome.
- Mental fatigue is known to impair performance, but its effect within the 2-bout protocol is unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of mental fatigue, induced during the rest period, on physical and cognitive performance.
- To assess subjective responses to mental fatigue during the 2-bout exercise protocol.
Main Methods:
- Nine trained male cyclists underwent a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
- Mental fatigue was induced using a Stroop task during a 1.5-hour rest period between two maximal exercise bouts.
- Cognitive, physiological, and subjective measures were collected.
Main Results:
- Mental fatigue significantly increased subjective ratings of fatigue, tension, and mental fatigue (P < .05).
- No significant differences were observed in physiological (lactate, heart rate, wattage) or cognitive performance between conditions.
- Subjective mental fatigue ratings were elevated after the first exercise bout in the mental fatigue condition.
Conclusions:
- Mental fatigue does not impair objective physical or cognitive performance in the 2-bout exercise protocol.
- Subjective experiences of fatigue are heightened by mental fatigue.
- It is recommended to avoid mentally demanding activities during the rest interval of the 2-bout protocol to ensure accurate subjective data. Further research in overtrained athletes is warranted.
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