#236 - Mental fatigue with elite athletes
Channel: High Performance Content for AFL Staff & Athletes
Date: 2023-05-23

Highlights of the episode:

00:00 What mental fatigue is and how it differs from physical fatigue
01:18 How does mental fatigue impact athletic performance
02:17 Common signs or symptoms of mental fatigue
03:17 Effective strategies to tackle mental fatigue
04:12 How personality traits and coping strategies impact an athlete's susceptibility to mental fatigue

Mental fatigue is a psychobiological state induced by prolonged periods of demanding cognitive or emotional activity. It differs from physical fatigue and affects an individual's mental efficiency. Mental fatigue can impact athletic performance, causing a drop in performance levels. The accumulation of adenosine in the brain and its effects on dopamine and motivation are proposed mechanisms for mental fatigue. Effective strategies for managing mental fatigue include listening to specific music frequencies and subjective self-identification of fatigue symptoms.