The Effect of Mental Fatigue on Lower Limb Functional Performance Tests and Brain Activity in a Healthy Population

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Return to Sport; Brain Activity; Mental Fatigue; EEG; Functional Performance
• Interventions: Other: Control; Other: Mental Fatigue

• Registration Number: NCT03643406
• Lead Sponsor: Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Brief Summary

Objective of the study

The main objectives of this project are:

1. To assess the influence of mental fatigue on a return-to-play test battery in healthy population

2. To assess the influence of mental fatigue on brain functioning during a balance and reaction time task in healthy population In a later stage, these experiments could be carried out in a clinical context (e.g. in an ankle sprain population).

The researchers will use a randomized, placebo controlled, counter-balanced, cross-over design.

Thirteen healthy subjects will visit the lab 3 times. On the first visit (familiarisation trial), the investigators will collect the participants' characteristics. The participants will also be familiarized to the procedures and materials of the experiment during this first visit. The second and third visit contain the experimental setup and will proceed as follows: first, the participants will fill in a mental fatigue scale (M-VAS) and motivation scale. Next, the subjects will carry out a functional test battery (hop test, vertical jump test, Y-balance test, and a balance reaction-time test). Session rate of perceived exertion (RPE) is measured to indicate how fatigued the participants feel because of the test battery; also, M-VAS is collected once more. Then, a short cognitive task (Flanker task) is followed by either a long intensive cognitive task (90 minutes Stroop task) or control task (90 minutes documentary). Afterwards, participants have to carry out the Flanker task, fill in M-VAS (2x), perform the same test battery, fill in session RPE and one final fatigue scale (Nasa TLX). Heart frequency and EEG will be measured continuously during the trials.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2018-08-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-08-20
• Study First Posted: 2018-08-22
• Study Start: 2018-10-19
• Status Verified: 2019-07
• Primary Completion: 2019-07-16
• Study Completion: 2019-07-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-07-18
• Last Update Posted: 2019-07-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 13

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy (No neurological/cardiorespiratory/psychological disorders)
• Male and female
• No medication
• Non-smoker
• Between 18 and 35 years old

Exclusion Criteria

• Back and/or lower extremity injuries during the past 6 months
• Bone/joint abnormalities
• Dizziness, history of loss of consciousness, any inner ear disorders
• Nervous system disorders or dysfunctions
• Uncorrected eye disorders/dysfunctions
• Illness
• Use of medication or any kind of drugs
• Use of alcohol, caffeine and heavy efforts 24 hours before each trial
• Not eating the same meal the night before and the morning of each trial

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Control Condition	Control	-
Mental Fatigue Condition	Mental Fatigue	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Single-leg hop test	Change in single-leg hop test for distance performance: from baseline and 120 minutes after baseline (immediately after the flanker task)	Single-leg hop test for distance performance
Y-balance test	Change in Y-balance performance: from baseline and 120 minutes after baseline (immediately after the flanker task)	Balance and reach performance; participants have to maintain their balance while reaching as far as possible along 3 different directions.
Vertical jump test	Change in vertical jump height performance: from baseline and 120 minutes after baseline (immediately after the flanker task)	Vertical jump height performance
EEG power spectrum analysis	Change in EEG power spectrum: from baseline and 120 minutes after baseline (immediately after the flanker task)	Brain activity during the Y-balance test, balance-reaction time test and flanker task will be registered at baseline and immediately after the flanker task
Balance-reaction time test	Change in balance and reaction time performance: from baseline and 120 minutes after baseline (immediately after the flanker task)	Balance and reaction time performance; participants have to maintain their balance while reacting as fast as possible in 3 different directions.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mental fatigue Visual Analogue Scale (M-VAS)	Change in M-VAS: at baseline, 20 min after baseline (immediately after the first test battery), 120 min after baseline (immediately after the second flanker task) and 135 min after baseline (immediately after the final test battery)	Subjective measure of mental fatigue (0-10cm; 0 = no mental fatigue; 10 = maximal mental fatigue)
Flanker task	Change in flanker task: at baseline and 90 minutes after baseline (immediately after the mental fatiguing task)	Objective measure of mental fatigue; reaction time and accuracy give an objective indication of mental fatigue
90-minute stroop task	Change in reaction time and accuracy will be assessed with a 90-min cognitive task; Reaction Time and Accuracy during the 90-min task will be reported as mean reaction time and accuracy during 8 blocks of 11min15sec	90 minutes mental fatiguing task; reaction time and accuracy give an objective indication of mental fatigue

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel; 🇧🇪 Brussels, Belgium