Brett Adam, Rhodes David, Grimson Sophie, Kiely John
Institiute of Coaching and Performance, Football Performance Hub, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire.
Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Brighton, United Kingdom.
Biol Sport. 2025 Mar 18;42(3):239-245. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.133001. eCollection 2025 Jul.
A variety of studies suggest mental fatigue (MF) negatively influences both perceptions of physical fatigue and psychomotor performance. No prior investigation has examined potential changes in player ratings of MF over the course of an English Premier League (EPL) season. This study analysed how MF and PF varied among elite footballers, at both grouped and individual levels, across a 46 match EPL season. Prospective cohort study. Over the course of a 40-week, 151 training sessions and 46 games season, 21 first team male EPL footballers rated both physical fatigue (PF) and MF on a 100-mm visual analogue scale on match day minus-one (M-1). No significant group differences were established for MF (18.9 ± 13.0 vs. 17.8 ± 14.8 vs. 20.8 ± 20.5) and PF (21.4 ± 14.0 vs. 20.9 ± 14.7 vs. 19.9 ± 17.5) (P > 0.05) between early, mid and late season timepoints. However, pervasive individual differences were evident across timescales. Unlike earlier comparable work in netball, this study did not detect group-based changes in MF or PF over a competitive season. However, extensive changes in individual ratings of MF and PF did occur. This study highlights the potential importance of monitoring and managing MF trends within squads of elite footballers. The 100-mm visual analogue scale provides practitioners with a pragmatic tool capable of, in a resource-efficient manner, monitoring MF in EPL squads. Monitoring MF potentially facilitates the customised provision of targeted remediation strategies encompassing (a) training design, (b) individualized recovery and (c) player education relating to MF alleviation and stress management interventions.
多项研究表明，精神疲劳（MF）会对身体疲劳感和心理运动表现产生负面影响。此前尚无研究考察过英超联赛（EPL）一个赛季中球员精神疲劳评分的潜在变化。本研究分析了在一个有46场比赛的英超赛季中，精英足球运动员在分组和个体层面上精神疲劳和身体疲劳是如何变化的。前瞻性队列研究。在为期40周、共151次训练课和46场比赛的赛季中，21名英超一线队男性足球运动员在比赛前一天（M-1）用100毫米视觉模拟量表对身体疲劳（PF）和精神疲劳进行评分。赛季早期、中期和晚期时间点之间，精神疲劳（18.9±13.0 vs. 17.8±14.8 vs. 20.8±20.5）和身体疲劳（21.4±14.0 vs. 20.9±14.7 vs. 19.9±17.5）均未发现显著的组间差异（P>0.05）。然而，在各个时间尺度上都存在明显的个体差异。与早期类似的无挡板篮球研究不同，本研究未发现竞技赛季中基于组别的精神疲劳或身体疲劳变化。然而，精神疲劳和身体疲劳的个体评分确实发生了广泛变化。本研究强调了监测和管理精英足球运动员阵容中精神疲劳趋势的潜在重要性。100毫米视觉模拟量表为从业者提供了一种实用工具，能够以资源高效的方式监测英超球队中的精神疲劳。监测精神疲劳可能有助于定制有针对性的补救策略，包括（a）训练设计、（b）个性化恢复以及（c）与精神疲劳缓解和压力管理干预相关的球员教育。
