title: Self-regulatory strength depletion and muscle-endurance performance: a test of the limited-strength model in older adults.
abstract: Self-regulation consumes a form of strength or energy. The authors investigated aftereffects of self-regulation depletion on muscle-endurance performance in older adults. Participants (N = 61, mean age = 71) were randomized to a self-regulation-depletion or control group and completed 2 muscle-endurance performance tasks involving isometric handgrip squeezing that were separated by a cognitive-depletion task. The depletion group showed greater deterioration of muscle-endurance performance than controls, F(1, 59) = 7.31, p = .009. Results are comparable to those of younger adults in a similar study and support Baumeister et al.'s limited-strength model. Self-regulation may contribute to central-nervous-system fatigue; however, biological processes may allow aging muscle to offset depletion of self-regulatory resources affecting muscle-endurance performance.
authors: Dept. of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Steven R
authors: SR
authors: Bray
authors: Kathleen A
authors: KA
authors: Martin Ginis
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Woodgate
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis