Understanding the effects of cognitive tasks on physical performance: a constraints framework to guide further research

ABSTRACT

Interest in the influence of a prior cognitive task on physical performance is growing. This work has been approached by several different disciplines, showing its broad importance. The findings from different disciplines have begun to be brought together. This paper reviews the literatures of how both cognitive fatigue and ego depletion can influence physical performance, and does so through a new framework, adapted from Newell’s constraints model, and the further specifications of Balagué et al. ([2019] On the relatedness and nestedness of constraints. Sports Medicine-Open, 5(1), 1–10.). We describe findings that relate to how the relationship between taxing cognitive task performance and the impact on physical performance emerges from the interaction of environmental and individual constraints. Working from an acknowledgement of these different influences, the systems they create (e.g. individual-environment system), and their interactions is a key consideration in advancing this area of research. Framing previous findings in this way provides a more organised perspective on the problem, to better structure and drive the research agenda and key next steps. Using the framework, we provide a roadmap and identify five main areas where more work is needed that can advance the field and contribute across disciplines, beyond sports psychology.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognition
• fatigue
• self-regulation
• physical performance
• ego depletion

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Brown et al.’s (2019) meta-analysis also shows the general emphasis on endurance-based studies. We also more generally acknowledge the early work of Mosso (1891/1906), who explored factors in muscle fatigue, and Dodge (1917), who explored work decrement and fatiguing conditions.