Díaz-García J, García-Calvo T, Manzano-Rodríguez D, López-Gajardo MÁ, Parraca JA, Ring C. Brain endurance training improves shot speed and accuracy in grassroots padel players.
J Sci Med Sport 2023:S1440-2440(23)00127-5. [PMID:
37349253 DOI:
10.1016/j.jsams.2023.06.002]
[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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Evidence that mental fatigue impairs sport performance has created a demand for countermeasures. We examined the effects of brain endurance training, a form of fatigue-inoculation, on shot performance in grassroots padel players.
DESIGN
A pre-, mid- and post-test design, with participants randomized to brain endurance training (n = 30) or control (n = 31) groups.
METHODS
During testing, participants completed a Padel Stroke Performance Test, before and after a demanding 30-min cognitive task (Stroop). Training comprised 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. In each training session, participants completed 10-min warm-up, 15-min technical drills, 15-min tactical drills, and 20-min simulated games. These physical activities were intermixed with short 4-min periods of Stroop (brain endurance training group) or rest (control group) totaling 20-min. Performance was measured by shot speed and accuracy of padel strokes. Mental fatigue indices were measured before and after the Stroop task using a visual analog scale rating, a psychomotor vigilance task, and a go/no-go task.
RESULTS
During testing, the 30-min Stroop task elicited a state of mental fatigue, confirmed by higher subjective ratings, slower responses during the psychomotor vigilance task, and slower saccade latencies during the go/no go task. Compared to pre-testing, in mid- and post-testing, the brain endurance training group hit progressively faster and more accurate padel shots after the Stroop task compared to controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Brain endurance training enhanced skill-based psychomotor performance when fatigued compared to standard padel training. Brain endurance training is a countermeasure that promotes mental fatigue durability.
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