Author(s): SCHAMPHELEER, E., HABAY, J., PROOST, M., ROELANDS, B., Institution: VUB, Country: BELGIUM, Abstract-ID: 1809

INTRODUCTION:
Mental fatigue (MF) is defined as a psychobiological state induced by prolonged demanding cognitive activity [1]. It induces a subjective feeling of fatigue [2] and has implications for both physical and cognitive performance (e.g. impaired endurance and attention) [1, 3]. However, the level of emergence of MF is highly variable between individuals. Almost no factors have reliably been identified that can predict the response to MF [4]. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate whether baseline cognitive functions could predict the susceptibility to MF and its impact on performance.
METHODS:
We employed a randomized, single-blinded, counter-balanced, cross-over research design. Ninety-seven healthy participants (53 male, 32.7 ± 8.7 y) initially completed three cognitive tests (sustained attention to response task, psychomotor vigilance task, and N-BACK task) assessing their cognitive functions (attention, working memory, and response inhibition). In the experimental and control trial, participants respectively engaged in either a 45-minute Stroop task or documentary. Pre- and post-trial, participants rated their feeling of MF using a visual analogue scale (M-VAS). Post-trial, they completed a Go-NoGo task and a 15-minute cycling time trial to evaluate cognitive and physical performance. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between cognitive abilities and MF effects.
RESULTS:
Baseline cognitive functions did not significantly relate with M-VAS scores (F=1.527; p=.204; R2=.029) or the extent to which MF affects physical performance (F=.591, p=.670; R2=-.019). Additionally, baseline cognitive functions could not predict the effect of MF on cognitive performance, including reaction time on the Go stimuli (F=.647; p=.630; R2=-.016) and accuracy on both the Go (F=2.024; p=.098; R2=.044) and NoGo (F=1.594; p=.183; R2=.026) stimuli.
CONCLUSION:
Baseline cognitive functions do not appear to reliably forecast susceptibility to MF or its effects on performance in healthy individuals. More research is needed to fully elucidate the individual response to MF, identify individuals who are more prone to MF and to develop targeted interventions.

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2. Habay, J., et al., Mental fatigue and sport-specific psychomotor performance: a systematic review. Sports Medicine, 2021. 51: p. 1527-1548.
3. Russell, S., et al., What is mental fatigue in elite sport? Perceptions from athletes and staff. European Journal of Sport Science, 2019. 19(10): p. 1367-1376.
4. Habay, J., et al., Interindividual variability in mental fatigue-related impairments in endurance performance: a systematic review and multiple meta-regression. Sports Medicine-open, 2023. 9(1): p. 1-27.