The Effects of Mental Fatigue on Sport Performance

Sport training and competitions pose very high demands on the brain and not just the cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and neuromuscular systems. Therefore, sport training and competitions can be mentally as well as physically fatiguing. Furthermore, media engagements, over-analysis, and environmental instability are thought to cause mental fatigue in athletes. Both in terms of endurance performance and psychomotor performance, the negative effect of mental fatigue has been largely replicated. Moderating factors that seem to affect the effect of mental fatigue on sport performance are cognitive load of the performance task, level of training, preceding physical activity (e.g. extensive warm-up), motivation, heat, and anaerobic demand. Insight about the mechanisms underlying the negative effects of mental fatigue on sport performance is still scarce. Psychologically, it is quite clear that perception of effort during aerobic exercise is higher than normal in mentally fatigued individuals. Physiologically, further studies monitoring the possible neurophysiological alterations are highly recommended. Possible methods to counteract the negative impact of mental fatigue on sport performance can be subdivided into (1) strategies to limit mental demand before and during competitions, (2) usage of ergogenic aids and psychological strategies, and (3) training to develop resistance to mental fatigue. Eventually, research on mental fatigue in athletes may translate to other populations like soldiers and patients suffering from pathological forms of mental fatigue.