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Mental Fatigue Reduces Training Volume in Resistance Exercise: A Cross-Over and Randomized Study
Victor Sabino de Queiros1, Matheus Dantas1, Leonardo de Sousa Fortes2
1Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal-RN, Brazil.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|September 23, 2020
Summary
Mental fatigue from cognitive tasks significantly reduces total training volume in resistance exercises. However, it does not impact motivation or countermovement jump performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Mental fatigue (MF) is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing physical performance.
- Understanding the impact of cognitive tasks (CT) on resistance exercise outcomes is crucial for training optimization.
- Previous research has explored MF's effects, but its specific impact on total training volume (TTV) and perceived exertion in exercises like the half-back squat exercise (HBSE) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of induced mental fatigue on total training volume (TTV) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during the half-back squat exercise (HBSE).
- To assess whether mental fatigue influences countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and motivation to exercise.
- To differentiate the effects of a demanding cognitive task (CT) from a control condition (CON) on these physiological and psychological variables.
Main Methods:
- A participant-blind, randomized, cross-over study involving nine male university students with resistance training experience.
- Participants completed either a 30-minute Stroop task (CT) or a 30-minute documentary viewing (CON).
- Post-intervention, participants performed a CMJ test, followed by three sets of HBSE to momentary concentric failure, reporting RPE after each set. MF and motivation were assessed using visual analog scales.
Main Results:
- Participants reported significantly higher mental fatigue after the CT compared to the CON condition (p=0.01).
- Total training volume (TTV) was significantly lower by 15.8% following the CT compared to the CON condition (p=0.04).
- No significant differences were observed in CMJ performance (p=0.33), RPE (p=0.20), or motivation to exercise (p=0.99) between the CT and CON conditions.
Conclusions:
- Engaging in a mentally fatiguing cognitive task prior to resistance exercise significantly reduces total training volume.
- Mental fatigue does not appear to affect motivation to exercise or immediate explosive power (CMJ performance) in this context.
- The findings suggest that cognitive load management may be important for maximizing training volume in resistance exercise protocols.
Keywords:
cognitive fatiguehigh intense trainingmuscle resistancephysical performanceresistance trainingvolume loadMore Related Videos
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