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De Wachter J, Roose M, Proost M, Habay J, Verstraelen M, De Bock S, De Pauw K, Meeusen R, Van Cutsem J, Roelands B. Prefrontal cortex oxygenation during a mentally fatiguing task in normoxia and hypoxia. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:1807-1819. [PMID: 38839618 PMCID: PMC11208267 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Mental fatigue (MF) and hypoxia impair cognitive performance through changes in brain hemodynamics. We want to elucidate the role of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-oxygenation in MF. Twelve participants (22.9 ± 3.5 years) completed four experimental trials, (1) MF in (normobaric) hypoxia (MF_HYP) (3.800 m; 13.5%O2), (2) MF in normoxia (MF_NOR) (98 m; 21.0%O2), (3) Control task in HYP (CON_HYP), (4) Control in NOR (CON_NOR). Participants performed a 2-back task, Digit Symbol Substitution test and Psychomotor Vigilance task before and after a 60-min Stroop task or an emotionally neutral documentary. Brain oxygenation was measured through functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Subjective feelings of MF and physiological measures (heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood glucose and hemoglobin) were recorded. The Stroop task resulted in increased subjective feelings of MF compared to watching the documentary. 2-back accuracy was lower post task compared to pre task in MF_NOR and CON_NOR, while no differences were found in the other cognitive tasks. The fraction of inspired oxygen did not impact feelings of MF. Although performing the Stroop resulted in higher subjective feelings of MF, hypoxia had no effect on the severity of self-reported MF. Additionally, this study could not provide evidence for a role of oxygenation of the PFC in the build-up of MF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas De Wachter
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manon Roose
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Radiology, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias Proost
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jelle Habay
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias Verstraelen
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sander De Bock
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- BruBotics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin De Pauw
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- BruBotics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romain Meeusen
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- BruBotics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Van Cutsem
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIPER Research Unit, Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bart Roelands
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
- BruBotics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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Ferreira MEC, Lima-Junior D, Faro H, Roelands B, Fortes LS. Prolonged cognitive effort impairs inhibitory control and causes significant mental fatigue after an endurance session with an auditive distractor in professional soccer players. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 70:102533. [PMID: 37678643 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Throughout official soccer matches, the presence of cheer by the crowd could be considered a critical auditive distraction that could further impair the cognitive interference control system, multiple object tracking (MOT) skill, heart rate variability (HRV), and increase mental fatigue. As the resource is not immediately replenished, the impairment of the cognitive interference control system may be delayed following a soccer game. Then, evaluating the recovery time course of the cognitive interference control system, MOT skill, HRV, and mental fatigue after prolonged tasks combining physical, endurance, and cognitive effort are essential. PURPOSE We aimed to analyze the acute effect of cognitive effort and auditive distractor with 24-h follow-up throughout a prolonged endurance session on inhibitory control, subjective mental fatigue, MOT skill, and HRV in professional soccer players. METHODS Twenty professional male soccer players were recruited (23.56 ± 3.8 years, 78.1 ± 6.9 kg, 1.77 ± 0.06 m, and 12.5 ± 5.3% body fat). The sessions were performed in a randomized and counterbalanced crossover design, divided into four experimental conditions: endurance, endurance + MOT, endurance + MOT + AD, and endurance + AD. The soccer players completed the incongruent Stroop task utilizing an eye-tracker to assess cognitive effort. MOT task, subjective mental fatigue, and HRV were evaluated before the endurance training (60%Δ of maximal aerobic velocity during 40-min) and after 30-min and 24-h of recovery. These sessions were designed to investigate the acute effect of prolonged cognitive effort (repeated MOT throughout the endurance task) and AD (constant crowd noise and coach's voice each 15-40 s, totalizing = 80 voices) on inhibitory control, MOT skills, HRV, and subjective mental fatigue after a fixed endurance training session. RESULTS There was no condition × time interaction for accuracy of inhibitory control (p > 0.05, ηp2 = 0.001). There was a significant condition × time interaction for inhibitory control response time (p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.16). A higher response time of inhibitory control was found for the endurance + MOT + AD and endurance + MOT experimental sessions (p < 0.05). There was a significant condition × time interaction for subjective mental fatigue (p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.46). A higher subjective mental fatigue was found for the endurance + MOT + AD and endurance + MOT experimental sessions (p < 0.05). There was no condition × time interaction for HRV (p > 0.05, ηp2 = 0.02). CONCLUSION We concluded that cognitive effort throughout a prolonged endurance session impaired inhibitory control and increased mental fatigue without promoting greater MOT skill and HRV changes in professional soccer players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E C Ferreira
- Graduate Program of Physical Education of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
| | | | - Heloiana Faro
- Associate Graduate Program of Physical Education of the Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil.
| | - Bart Roelands
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Leonardo S Fortes
- Associate Graduate Program of Physical Education of the Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil.
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Lopes TR, Fortes LDS, Smith MR, Roelands B, Marcora SM. Editorial: Mental fatigue and sport: from the lab to the field. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1213019. [PMID: 37229360 PMCID: PMC10203958 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1213019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Ribeiro Lopes
- Laboratory of Exercise Physiology at Olympic Center of Training and Research, Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- São Paulo Association for Medicine Development, São Paulo, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Mitchell Robert Smith
- Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia
- ActiveLiving Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Bart Roelands
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Mental Fatigue: The Cost of Cognitive Loading on Weight Lifting, Resistance Training, and Cycling Performance. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2023; 18:465-473. [PMID: 36898388 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mental fatigue (MF) can impair physical performance in sport. We tested the hypothesis that cognitive load alone, and intermixed with standard resistance training, would induce MF, increase rating of perceived exertion (RPE), alter perception of weight lifting and training, and impair cycling time-trial performance. METHODS This 2-part study employed a within-participant design. In part 1, after establishing leg-extension 1-repetition maximum (1RM), 16 participants lifted and briefly held weights at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of 1RM. RPE and electromyography (EMG) were measured for each lift. During the testing sessions, participants completed cognitive tasks (MF condition) or watched neutral videos (control condition) for 90 minutes before lifting the weights. In part 2, they completed submaximal resistance training comprising 6 weight training exercises followed by a 20-minute cycling time trial. In the MF condition, they completed cognitive tasks before and between weight training exercises. In the control condition, they watched neutral videos. Mood (Brunel Mood Scale), workload (National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index), MF-visual analogue scale (MF-VAS), RPE, psychomotor vigilance, distance cycled, power output, heart rate, and blood lactate were measured. RESULTS In part 1, the cognitive task increased lift-induced RPE (P = .011), increased MF-VAS (P = .002), and altered mood (P < .001) compared with control. EMG did not differ between conditions. In part 2, the cognitive tasks increased RPE (P < .001), MF-VAS (P < .001), and mental workload (P < .001), but reduced cycling time-trial power (P = .032) and distance (P = .023) compared with control. Heart rate and blood lactate did not differ between conditions. CONCLUSION A state of MF induced by cognitive load, alone or intermixed with physical load, increased RPE during weight lifting and training and impaired subsequent cycling performance.
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Darnai G, Matuz A, Alhour HA, Perlaki G, Orsi G, Arató Á, Szente A, Áfra E, Nagy SA, Janszky J, Csathó Á. The neural correlates of mental fatigue and reward processing: A task-based fMRI study. Neuroimage 2023; 265:119812. [PMID: 36526104 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing time spent on the task (i.e., the time-on-task (ToT) effect) often results in mental fatigue. Typical effects of ToT are decreasing levels of task-related motivation and the deterioration of cognitive performance. However, a massive body of research indicates that the detrimental effects can be reversed by extrinsic motivators, for example, providing rewards to fatigued participants. Although several attempts have been made to identify brain areas involved in mental fatigue and related reward processing, the neural correlates are still less understood. In this study, we used the psychomotor vigilance task to induce mental fatigue and blood oxygen-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural correlates of the ToT effect and the reward effect (i.e., providing extra monetary reward after fatigue induction) in a healthy young sample. Our results were interpreted in a recently proposed neurocognitive framework. The activation of the right middle frontal gyrus, right insula and right anterior cingulate gyrus decreased as fatigue emerged and the cognitive performance dropped. However, after providing an extra reward, the cognitive performance, as well as activation of these areas, increased. Moreover, the activation levels of all of the mentioned areas were negatively associated with reaction times. Our results confirm that the middle frontal gyrus, insula and anterior cingulate cortex play crucial roles in cost-benefit evaluations, a potential background mechanism underlying fatigue, as suggested by the neurocognitive framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Darnai
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
| | - András Matuz
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | | | - Gábor Perlaki
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Pécs Diagnostic Centre, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gergely Orsi
- ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Pécs Diagnostic Centre, Pécs, Hungary; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ákos Arató
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Anna Szente
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Eszter Áfra
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Anett Nagy
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary; Pécs Diagnostic Centre, Pécs, Hungary; Structural Neurobiology Research Group, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Janszky
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; ELKH-PTE Clinical Neuroscience MR Research Group, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Árpád Csathó
- Department of Behavioural Sciences, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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Brain Endurance Training Improves Physical, Cognitive, and Multitasking Performance in Professional Football Players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022; 17:1732-1740. [DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Brain endurance training (BET)—the combination of physical training with mentally fatiguing tasks—could help athletes adapt and increase their performance during sporting competitions. Here we tested whether BET completed after standard physical training improved physical and mental performance more than physical training alone during a preseason football training camp. Methods: The study employed a pretest/training/posttest design, with 22 professional football players randomly assigned to BET or a control group. Both groups completed 40 physical training sessions over 4 weeks. At the end of a day of physical training, the BET group completed cognitive training, whereas the control group listened to neutral sounds. Players completed the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test, repeated sprint ability random test, soccer-specific reactive agility test, and Stroop and psychomotor vigilance tests pretraining and posttraining. Mixed analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results: In the posttest (but not pretest) assessments, the BET group consistently outperformed the control group. Specifically, the BET group was faster (P = .02–.04) than the control group during the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test, the directional phase of the repeated sprint ability random test, and the soccer-specific reactive agility test. The BET group also made fewer errors (P = .02) during the soccer-specific reactive agility test than the control group. Finally, the BET group responded faster (P = .02) on the Stroop test and made fewer (P = .03) lapses on the psychomotor vigilance test than the control group. Conclusion: The inclusion of BET during the preseason seems more effective than standard physical training alone in improving the physical, cognitive, and multitasking performance of professional football players.
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