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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Determining The Electromyographic Fatigue Threshold Following a Single Visit Exercise Test
Published on: July 27, 2015
Mental fatigue does not alter performance or neuromuscular fatigue development during self-paced exercise in
Marcos David Silva-Cavalcante1,2, Patrícia Guimaraes Couto3, Rafael de Almeida Azevedo3
1Department of Sport, Endurance Sports Research Group (GEDAE-USP), School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello de Moraes, 65, University city, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05508-030, Brazil. cavalcantemds@usp.br.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mental fatigue, characterized by a subjective feeling of tiredness, on the development of neuromuscular fatigue during a 4-km cycling time trial (4-km TT).
Methods:
Eight recreationally trained male cyclists performed a 4-km TT after either performing a prolonged cognitive task (mental fatigue) or after viewing emotionally neutral documentaries (control). The neuromuscular function of the knee extensors was assessed using electrical nerve stimulation at baseline, before (pre-TT), and after (post-TT) the 4-km TT. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and physiological variables were periodically measured during 4-km TT.
Results:
Subjective ratings of fatigue increased significantly only after a prolonged cognitive task (P = 0.022). Neuromuscular function at baseline was similar between conditions and remained unchanged at pre-TT. Time to complete the 4-km TT was similar between control (376 ± 27 s) and mental fatigue (376 ± 26 s). There was no significant difference between conditions for RPE, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and HR throughout the exercise. The 4-km TT-induced similar decrease (from baseline to post-TT) in maximal voluntary contraction (mental fatigue - 11 ± 10%, control - 16 ± 12%), twitch force (mental fatigue - 26 ± 16%, control - 24 ± 17%), and voluntary activation (mental fatigue - 5 ± 7%, control - 3 ± 2%) for both conditions.
Conclusion:
Mental fatigue induced by prolonged cognitive task does not impair performance nor alter the degree of central and peripheral fatigue development during self-paced exercise in recreationally trained cyclists.
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