The effects of mental fatigue on cycling performance and the time-course of mental fatigue

What is the purpose of this research?

This project investigates how mental fatigue affects cycling performance. It will also track the effects of mental fatigue on perceived mood, sleepiness and fatigue using simple online questionnaires at regular intervals for 24 hours after exercise.

Are you looking for people like me?

We invite people aged 18–50 who do not smoke cigarettes and are recreationally active—achieving 75 (if vigorous) to 150 (if moderate) minutes of physical activity per week—to take part.

You must have:

• experience with completing near maximal or maximal cycling exercise for 60 minutes continuously, as well as the feeling of cycling to voluntary exhaustion
• no history of clinical conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, ADHD, cardiovascular illness, history of arrhythmia, high blood pressure) or adverse events (e.g. a stroke).

Participants must not be using medications (e.g. anti-depressants) or supplements (e.g. multivitamins), and not have a physical injury that led to consulting a health professional within the previous six months.

What will you ask me to do?

You'll be required to complete:

• 3 x 1–2-hour sessions (one baseline maximal fitness test and two cycling familiarisations)
• 2 x 4–4.5-hour experimental sessions, all separated by at least 48 hours.

During experimental sessions, you'll complete questionnaires about your mood and sleepiness using 0–100 rating scales about mental fatigue. You'll then complete either a mentally fatiguing task or watch documentaries for 90 minutes. Next, you'll complete a time-to-exhaustion cycling performance test to the best of your ability, cycling for as long as you can at a pre-determined intensity based on your breathing responses during the maximal fitness test. You'll be cycling at a near maximal or maximal intensity until:

• you wish to stop (i.e. voluntary exhaustion), or
• you cannot maintain a certain cadence on the bike, or
• the chief or associate investigator feels it is unsafe for you to continue.

You'll then remain in the laboratory with the investigator and complete the same measures as before every 20 minutes for 60 minutes. Afterwards, the chief investigator will text you at 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours after exercise to ask you to complete the questionnaires and 0–100 rating scales.

Sessions will be led by Liam Oliver, Chief Investigator.

Are there any risks for me in taking part?

The research team has identified the following possible risks in relation to participating in this study:

• harm or sudden cardiac death by completing a maximal fitness test and 60-minute cycling performance tests
• musculoskeletal symptoms from sitting and computer work such as neck and low back pain
• drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion and altered mood from built-up mental fatigue
• slips, trips and falls from laptop cables
• the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Time commitment may be inconvenient. You can withdraw your involvement during or after the study, and have your data destroyed, on request and without comment or penalty.

Are there any benefits for me in taking part?

By taking part in this study, you'll learn how mental fatigue affects your cycling performance and how long mental fatigue may affect you for afterwards. This may help us find ways to reduce mental fatigue in future studies.

Your parking/travel costs will be covered and you'll have a free breakfast in all experimental sessions.

Will I be compensated for my time?

Yes. As a token of appreciation, you'll receive a $20 Coles Group & Myer Gift Card for completing all sessions. Any parking/travel costs will be reimbursed.

I am interested - what should I do next?

Please email Liam Oliver to be given additional information to ensure your decision and consent to participate is fully informed.