Perceived fatigue does not alter effort-based decision making but does undermine confidence in the ability to perform...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Decision Science
• Human Factors

Background:

• Fatigue can influence effort-based decision-making, impacting the perceived value of rewards.
• It is unclear if these changes are due to the subjective feeling of fatigue or physical exertion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether perceived fatigue, independent of physical exertion, alters effort-based decision-making.
• To examine the impact of perceived fatigue on the cost-benefit analysis of effortful choices.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-two healthy males chose between fixed low-reward/no-effort and variable higher-reward/effortful options.
• Perceived fatigue was induced via upper-limb exertion, controlling for lower-limb physical fatigue.
• Choices were compared between a rested control state and a perceived fatigue state.

Main Results:

• Perceived fatigue did not significantly alter participants' effort-based choices or cost-benefit comparisons.
• Greater effort requirements consistently reduced engagement with higher rewards.
• In the fatigue state, decision time increased, and self-reported confidence in high-effort actions decreased.

Conclusions:

• Perceived fatigue does not necessarily change the fundamental cost-benefit evaluation in effort-based decisions.
• Fatigue may increase choice uncertainty and reduce self-confidence, altering evaluative processes.
• These findings highlight the nuanced impact of subjective fatigue on decision-making under demanding conditions.