title: Mental Fatigue Impairs Soccer-Specific Physical and Technical Performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of mental fatigue on soccer-specific physical and technical performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  This investigation consisted of two separate studies. Study 1 assessed the soccer-specific physical performance of 12 moderately trained soccer players using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Study 2 assessed the soccer-specific technical performance of 14 experienced soccer players using the Loughborough Soccer Passing and Shooting Tests (LSPT, LSST). Each test was performed on two occasions and preceded, in a randomized, counterbalanced order, by 30 min of the Stroop task (mentally fatiguing treatment) or 30 min of reading magazines (control treatment). Subjective ratings of mental fatigue were measured before and after treatment, and mental effort and motivation were measured after treatment. Distance run, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded during the Yo-Yo IR1. LSPT performance time was calculated as original time plus penalty time. LSST performance was assessed using shot speed, shot accuracy, and shot sequence time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective ratings of mental fatigue and effort were higher after the Stroop task in both studies (P < 0.001), whereas motivation was similar between conditions. This mental fatigue significantly reduced running distance in the Yo-Yo IR1 (P < 0.001). No difference in heart rate existed between conditions, whereas ratings of perceived exertion were significantly higher at iso-time in the mental fatigue condition (P < 0.01). LSPT original time and performance time were not different between conditions; however, penalty time significantly increased in the mental fatigue condition (P = 0.015). Mental fatigue also impaired shot speed (P = 0.024) and accuracy (P < 0.01), whereas shot sequence time was similar between conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mental fatigue impairs soccer-specific running, passing, and shooting performance.
authors: 1Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, AUSTRALIA; 2Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, BELGIUM; and 3Endurance Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent at Medway, UNITED KINGDOM.
authors: Mitchell R
authors: MR
authors: Smith
authors: Aaron J
authors: AJ
authors: Coutts
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Merlini
authors: Dieter
authors: D
authors: Deprez
authors: Matthieu
authors: M
authors: Lenoir
authors: Samuele M
authors: SM
authors: Marcora
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult