title: Effects of Motivational Self-Talk on Endurance and Cognitive Performance in the Heat.
abstract: We tested the effectiveness of a 2-wk motivational self-talk (MST) intervention-specific to heat tolerance-on endurance capacity and cognitive function in the heat.
  
  
  
  Eighteen trained male (n = 14) and female (n = 4) cyclists randomly received 2 wk of MST training (n = 9) or a control regimen (CON, n = 9). The experimental protocol was a PRE/POST design consisting of 30 min of cycling at 60% peak power output (PPO) in the heat (35°C, 50% relative humidity, ~3.0 m·s airflow), a 30-min rest period, followed by a time to exhaustion (TTE) test at 80% PPO, and an identical rest period. Executive function, reaction time, and working memory were tested at baseline and each rest period. Key measures included TTE, speed and accuracy on the cognitive tests, rectal temperature, HR, oxygen consumption, and RPE.
  
  
  
  Group (MST vs CON) × test (PRE vs POST) × time repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that MST significantly increased TTE from PRE (487 ± 173 s) to POST (679 ± 251 s, P = 0.021) concurrent with a higher terminating rectal temperature (PRE, 38.5°C ± 0.2°C; POST, 38.8°C ± 0.4°C; P = 0.023); no TTE (PRE, 531 ± 178 s; POST, 510 ± 216 s; P = 0.28) or rectal temperature (PRE, 38.4°C ± 0.3°C; POST, 38.4°C ± 0.2°C; P = 1.000) changes were found in CON. MST significantly improved both speed and accuracy for executive function from PRE/POST, with no PRE/POST differences for CON on any cognitive measure. There were no interactions (all P > 0.05) for other key measures.
  
  
  
  Motivational self-talk is effective in altering the internal psychophysiological control of exercise and plays a role in improving endurance capacity and executive function in the heat.
authors: 1Environmental Ergonomics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA; 2Applied Physiology Lab, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA; 3Falck Safety Services Canada, Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, CANADA; and 4Behavioural Health Sciences Research Lab, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, CANADA.
authors: Phillip J
authors: PJ
authors: Wallace
authors: Brandon J
authors: BJ
authors: McKinlay
authors: Nico A
authors: NA
authors: Coletta
authors: Janae I
authors: JI
authors: Vlaar
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Taber
authors: Philip M
authors: PM
authors: Wilson
authors: Stephen S
authors: SS
authors: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult