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Mental Fatigue and Soccer: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

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Abstract

Fatigue is a complex state with multiple physiological and psychological origins. However, fatigue in soccer has traditionally been investigated from a physiological perspective, with little emphasis on the cognitive demands of competition. These cognitive demands may induce mental fatigue, which could contribute to the fatigue-related performance decrements observed during and after soccer matches. Recent research investigating the relationship between mental fatigue and soccer-specific performance supports this suggestion. This leading article provides an overview of the research in this emerging field, outlining the impact of mental fatigue on soccer-specific physical, technical, decision-making, and tactical performances. The second half of this review provides directions for future research in response to the limitations of the existing research. Emphasis is placed on translating the current body of knowledge into practical applications and developing a greater understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the negative impact of mental fatigue on soccer performance. A conceptual model is presented to help direct this future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise and Sports Science, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia

    Mitchell R. Smith

  2. Institute of Sport and Preventative Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany

    Chris Thompson, Sabrina Skorski & Tim Meyer

  3. Endurance Research Group, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent at Medway, Chatham, UK

    Samuele M. Marcora

  4. Sport and Exercise Discipline Group, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, Australia

    Aaron J. Coutts

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  1. Mitchell R. Smith
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Mitchell R. Smith, Chris Thompson, Samuele M. Marcora, Sabrina Skorski, Tim Meyer and Aaron J. Coutts have no conflicts of interest.

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Smith, M.R., Thompson, C., Marcora, S.M. et al. Mental Fatigue and Soccer: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. Sports Med 48, 1525–1532 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0908-2

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