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Mental Fatigue and Sport-Specific Psychomotor Performance: A Systematic Review

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A Correction to this article was published on 22 May 2021

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Abstract

Background

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state that impairs endurance performance in healthy athletes. Recently, multiple studies indicated that MF could also impair sport-specific psychomotor performance (SSPP). Nevertheless, a systematic overview detailing the effects of MF on SSPP is currently lacking.

Objective

The objective of this study is to collate relevant literature and examine the effect of MF on SSPP. A secondary aim was to create an overview of the potential subjective and physiological factors underlying this MF effect.

Methods

PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were searched (5th of November 2020). Studies were eligible when study outcomes encompassed any form of SSPP skill in a sport-specific context, the intervention was targeted to induce MF, and the population included healthy individuals. The presence of a manipulation check, to indicate the successful induction of MF, was obligatory for inclusion. Secondary outcomes were all outcomes (either physiological or psychological) that could explain the underlying mechanisms of the effect of MF on SSPP.

Results

In total, 21 papers were included. MF was successfully induced in all but two studies, which were excluded from further analysis. MF negatively impacts a myriad of SSPP outcomes, including decision-making, reaction time and accuracy outcomes. No changes in physiological outcomes, that could underlie the effect of MF, were reported. Subjectively, only ratings of perceived of exertion increased due to MF in some studies.

Conclusions

Overall, the selected papers indicated that MF negatively affects SSPP. Research that assesses brain function, while evaluating the effect of MF on SSPP is essential to create further insight.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Luxemburg Institute of Research in Orthopedics, Sport Medicine and Science (LIROMS) for their valuable contribution to this work.

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Author notes

  1. Jelle Habay and Jeroen Van Cutsem contributed equally and share first authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Jelle Habay, Jeroen Van Cutsem, Jo Verschueren, Sander De Bock, Matthias Proost, Jonas De Wachter, Bruno Tassignon, Romain Meeusen & Bart Roelands

  2. Vital signs and performance monitoring research Unit, LIFE Department, Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissancelaan 30, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

    Jeroen Van Cutsem

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Correspondence to Bart Roelands.

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Funding

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of Interest

Jelle Habay, Jeroen Van Cutsem, Jo Verschueren, Sander De Bock, Matthias Proost, Jonas De Wachter, Bruno Tassignon, Romain Meeusen, and Bart Roelands have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Ethical Approval

Jelle Habay, Jeroen Van Cutsem, Jo Verschueren, Sander De Bock, Matthias Proost, Jonas De Wachter, Bruno Tassignon, Romain Meeusen, and Bart Roelands declare that the systematic review complies with all ethical standards.

Availability of Data and Material

The authors declare that all data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Authorship Contribution

The design of the search strategy was performed by JH, and subsequently revised by JVC, JV, SDB and BR. Screening on title and abstract was done by JH and JVC, while full text screening was conducted by five authors, i.e., JH, JVC, SDB, JV and BR. Data analysis was first conducted by SDB, JVC and JH, and was later revised and updated by JH. RoB assessment was performed by JV, JDW and MP, who also designed the RoB figures together with JVC. JH wrote the first draft of the manuscript which was later altered by JH, JVC, BR, BT and RM. All authors read, revised and approved the final manuscript.

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The original article has been udpated: Due to Tables 2 and 3 and Figure 3 update.

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Habay, J., Van Cutsem, J., Verschueren, J. et al. Mental Fatigue and Sport-Specific Psychomotor Performance: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 51, 1527–1548 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01429-6

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