Decision Speed and Technical Execution Under Fatigue: A Dual-Task Study in Youth Football

This study aimed to examine the effects of physical fatigue on cognitive-motor performance in youth football players from different competitive categories using an ecologically valid dual-task test. A total of 45 male youth development football players: 14 from the under-14 category (12.36 ± 0.50 years), 16 from under-16 (15.25 ± 0.45 years), and 15 from under-18 (16.87 ± 0.64 years) joined in this study. Technical-tactical performance was assessed before and after fatigue using the Stroop Task Football Test, with the Repeated Sprint Ability protocol applied between assessments. Physical fatigue negatively affected cognitive-motor performance, particularly in the under-14 and under-16 groups. These categories showed significant increases in execution time (U14: 72.80 ± 5.56 vs. 81.35 ± 6.85 s; U16: 57.67 ± 3.79 vs. 60.76 ± 4.59 s) and reductions in the total index (U14: 51.35 ± 4.64 vs. 45.71 ± 4.61; U16: 63.97 ± 4.22 vs. 59.74 ± 5.53). In contrast, the under-18 group maintained stable performance. To sum, younger players appear more susceptible to performance declines under fatigue conditions, whereas under-18 players did not exhibit significant impairments. These findings highlight the importance of adapting training loads and recovery strategies according to developmental stage.