Perceptual-Cognitive Tasks Affect Landing Performance of Soccer Players at Different Levels of Fatigue

There is a possible interaction between the underlying mechanisms of perceptual-cognitive tasks and motor control. For example, landing biomechanics changed during perceptual-cognitive tasks undertaken at different levels of fatigue of the athlete. Thus, this study explored the effect of perception-cognitive tasks interventions on male soccer players' landing mechanisms at different levels of fatigue.

Perceptual-cognitive tasks during games were simulated using classic multiple object tracking (MOT) paradigms, and 15 male soccer players completed MOT tasks under nonfatigue (NF), moderate fatigue (MF), and severe fatigue (SF). Landing-associated indicators were collected and calculated using a Vicon and force measuring platform.

Level of fatigue and MOT task significantly affected hip and knee flexion angles, hip and knee extension moments, and vertical ground reaction force. Specifically, hip and knee flexion angles were significantly higher in MOT than non-MOT tasks at all levels of fatigue. In NF state, hip and knee extension moments were significantly smaller during MOT than non-MOT tasks. In SF state, the hip extension moment was larger during MOT than non-MOT tasks. In both MF and SF states, vertical ground reaction force was significantly higher in MOT than non-MOT tasks.

Although soccer players landed cautiously when not fatigued, they were significantly less able to do this and handle challenging perceptual-cognitive task movements when fatigued. Thus, landing performance is affected by perceptual-cognitive task interference in fatigue conditions.