An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study
Introduction: Mental fatigue is a key factor in soccer that can affect physical performance. Mental fatigue protocols based on the Stroop test used in soccer involve extensive time, ranging from 10 to 30 min. Offering a protocol with a shorter duration that is more applicable in ecological situation...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Andrés Prieto-Sánchez Juan M. García-Ceberino Juan Luis Leon-Llamas Santos Villafaina |
| author_facet | Andrés Prieto-Sánchez Juan M. García-Ceberino Juan Luis Leon-Llamas Santos Villafaina |
| author_sort | Andrés Prieto-Sánchez |
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| description | Introduction: Mental fatigue is a key factor in soccer that can affect physical performance. Mental fatigue protocols based on the Stroop test used in soccer involve extensive time, ranging from 10 to 30 min. Offering a protocol with a shorter duration that is more applicable in ecological situations seems to be an exciting challenge. Objective: To analyze the effects of a mental fatigue induction protocol (2 min Stroop test in its incongruent mode) on decision-making, response time, and technical execution accuracy in soccer players. Methods: A total of 18 semi-elite soccer male players, 25.83 (4.71) years from a Spanish soccer team, participated in this cross-sectional study. The 2 min incongruent Stroop test was used like mental fatigue protocol, followed by a specific analytical soccer task. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and Chi-squared tests were used to analyze the statistical differences. Results: A significant increase in participants’ response time after the fatigue protocol (<i>p</i> < 0.001; r = 0.878) was observed. Regarding the variables of correct decision (<i>p</i> = 0.457; r = 0.031) and technical execution accuracy (<i>p</i> = 1; r < 0.001), no significant differences were found. Additionally, no differences were observed between the first and second attempts of the 2 min incongruent Stroop test, in terms of execution accuracy, errors, or total words. Conclusions: The 2 min Stroop incongruent task may induce some degree of mental fatigue, leading to slower response time during certain technical tasks in semi-elite soccer players. However, this Stroop task was insufficient to promote significant changes in the accuracy of technical execution and the effectiveness of decision-making. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-b5231b3e16af466d9c65e0ba8fea27e32025-08-20T02:08:07ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-11-0114221029610.3390/app142210296An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot StudyAndrés Prieto-Sánchez0Juan M. García-Ceberino1Juan Luis Leon-Llamas2Santos Villafaina3Grupo de Investigación en Actividad Física, Calidad de Vida y Salud (AFYCAV), Departamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y Corporal, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003 Cáceres, SpainFacultad de Educación y Psicología, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de Elvas, s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SpainGrupo de Investigación en Actividad Física, Calidad de Vida y Salud (AFYCAV), Departamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y Corporal, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003 Cáceres, SpainGrupo de Investigación en Actividad Física, Calidad de Vida y Salud (AFYCAV), Departamento de Didáctica de la Expresión Musical, Plástica y Corporal, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad s/n, 10003 Cáceres, SpainIntroduction: Mental fatigue is a key factor in soccer that can affect physical performance. Mental fatigue protocols based on the Stroop test used in soccer involve extensive time, ranging from 10 to 30 min. Offering a protocol with a shorter duration that is more applicable in ecological situations seems to be an exciting challenge. Objective: To analyze the effects of a mental fatigue induction protocol (2 min Stroop test in its incongruent mode) on decision-making, response time, and technical execution accuracy in soccer players. Methods: A total of 18 semi-elite soccer male players, 25.83 (4.71) years from a Spanish soccer team, participated in this cross-sectional study. The 2 min incongruent Stroop test was used like mental fatigue protocol, followed by a specific analytical soccer task. The Wilcoxon signed-rank and Chi-squared tests were used to analyze the statistical differences. Results: A significant increase in participants’ response time after the fatigue protocol (<i>p</i> < 0.001; r = 0.878) was observed. Regarding the variables of correct decision (<i>p</i> = 0.457; r = 0.031) and technical execution accuracy (<i>p</i> = 1; r < 0.001), no significant differences were found. Additionally, no differences were observed between the first and second attempts of the 2 min incongruent Stroop test, in terms of execution accuracy, errors, or total words. Conclusions: The 2 min Stroop incongruent task may induce some degree of mental fatigue, leading to slower response time during certain technical tasks in semi-elite soccer players. However, this Stroop task was insufficient to promote significant changes in the accuracy of technical execution and the effectiveness of decision-making.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/22/10296mental fatiguemental effortsmall-sided gamestraining intervention |
| spellingShingle | Andrés Prieto-Sánchez Juan M. García-Ceberino Juan Luis Leon-Llamas Santos Villafaina An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study Applied Sciences mental fatigue mental effort small-sided games training intervention |
| title | An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study |
| title_full | An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study |
| title_short | An Incongruent 2-Minute Stroop Task Alters the Response Time Performance in Semi-Elite Soccer Players: A Pilot Study |
| title_sort | incongruent 2 minute stroop task alters the response time performance in semi elite soccer players a pilot study |
| topic | mental fatigue mental effort small-sided games training intervention |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/22/10296 |
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