- Title
- Understanding the Presence of Mental Fatigue in Elite Female Football
- Creator
- Thompson, Chris J.; Smith, Andy; Coutts, Aaron J.; Skorski, Sabrina; Datson, Naomi; Smith, Mitchell R.; Meyer, Tim
- Relation
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Vol. 93, Issue 3, p. 504-515
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2021.1873224
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2021
- Description
- Purpose: Previous research investigating the impact of induced mental fatigue in football (soccer) has demonstrated associated performance decrements in physical, technical, tactical and decision-making performance. A common limitation amongst this research is the protocols used to induce mental fatigue which provides low ecological validity, and the inclusion of recreational or sub-elite players. Therefore, understanding the presence of mental fatigue in elite football can provide insight into protocols with greater ecological validity. Methods: The current study used focus groups with 10 elite female football players, focusing on five topics (travel, fixture congestion, receiving tactical information, pre-match routine and pressure to win) related to the perceived causes of mental fatigue in elite football (directed by anecdotal quotes in elite football and research-based theories). Results: Several themes emerged from the data; travel fatigue, inability to switch off from football, fatigue experienced following team meetings, use of pre-match music and internal pressure to succeed. Conclusion: These findings present practical recommendations to reduce mental fatigue in elite football settings, such as considering the timing, content and duration of team meetings, providing players with free time/rest where possible, and considering the modality of coaching instructions during matches.
- Subject
- women soccer; focus group; coach development; mental fatigue
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1459982
- Identifier
- uon:45828
- Identifier
- ISSN:0270-1367
- Language
- eng
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