ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
This review study systematically analyzes the causes, effects, and coping strategies of psychological fatigue in sports, utilizing literature research and other methodologies. Psychological fatigue, characterized by a decline in mental function, often arises when individuals confront internal and external pressures, manifesting changes in emotions, cognition, motivation, and physiological dimensions. Through an in-depth exploration of psychological fatigue, this paper identifies its close associations with athletes' motivation, stress responses, proprioception, and attention. To effectively address psychological fatigue, various recovery methods are proposed, including cognitive-behavioral techniques, relaxation training, and psychological interventions. These findings hold significant theoretical and practical implications for enhancing sports training, improving athletes' competitive performance, and promoting overall physical and mental well-being.
Arnold, R., Fletcher, D., & Daniels, K. (2017). Organizational stressors, coping, and outcomes in competitive sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(7), 694–703.
Bianchi, R., Boffy, C., Hingray, C., Truchot, D., & Laurent, E. (2017). Comparative symptomatology of burnout and depression. Journal of Health Psychology, 22(1), 17-25.
Bianchi, R., Schonfeld, I. S., & Laurent, E. (2015). Burnout–depression overlaps: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 36, 28-41.
Birrer, D., Röthlin, P., & Morgan, G. (2012). Mindfulness to enhance athletic performance: Theoretical considerations and possible impact mechanisms. Mindfulness, 4(4), 375-386.
Chang, Y. K., Labban, J. D., Gapin, J. I., & Etnier, J. L. (2012). The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis. Brain Research, 1453, 87-101.
Chennaoui, M., Arnal, P. J., Sauvet, F., & Léger, D. (2015). Sleep and exercise: A reciprocal issue? Sleep Medicine Reviews, 20, 59-72.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.
Garcia, E., & Martinez, F. (2019). Time management challenges among athletes. International Journal of Sport Management, 8(1), 32-45.
Gustafsson, H., DeFreese, J. D., & Madigan, D. J. (2017). Athlete burnout: Review and recommendations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 109-113.
Halson, S. L. (2014). Sleep in elite athletes and nutritional interventions to enhance sleep. Sports Medicine, 44(1), 13-23.
Hanton, S., & Connaughton, D. (2002). Perceived control of anxiety and its relationship with self-confidence and performance: A qualitative investigation. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 73(1), 87–97.
Hanton, S., Fletcher, D., & Coughlan, G. (2005). Stress in elite sport performers: A comparative study of competitive and organizational stressors. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(10), 1129–1141.
Hanton, S., et al. (2010). A qualitative exploration of choking in elite golf. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 3(3), 221-240.
Hill, A. P., & Curran, T. (2016). Multidimensional perfectionism and burnout: A meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 20(3), 269–288.
Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513.
Johnson, L., & Smith, P. (2018). Social pressures and their impact on athletes' psychological well-being. Journal of Sports Sociology, 25(4), 210–225.
Johnson, U., & Ivarsson, A. (2011). Psychological predictors of sports injuries among junior soccer players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 21(1), 129-136.
Jones, A., & James, B. (2020). The impact of life stressors on psychological fatigue in athletes. Journal of Sport Psychology, 15(2), 45–62.
Jones, M. V., & Lavallee, D. (2009). Exploring the pre-performance state, stress and coping: Experiences of sport performers. In T. S. Horn (Ed.), Advances in sport psychology (3rd ed., pp. 205-231). Human Kinetics.
Kaplan, R., Robinson, M., & Weinberg, R. (2017). Mental toughness and individual differences in learning, educational and work performance, psychological well-being, and personality: A systematic review. Springer.
Kellmann, M., & Kallus, K. W. (2001). Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes: User manual. Human Kinetics.
Lastella, M., Lovell, G. P., & Sargent, C. (2018). Athletes' precompetitive sleep behavior and its relationship with subsequent precompetitive mood and performance. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(10), 1333-1341.
Lee, C., & Smith, D. (2021). Challenges in athletes' personal lives: Effects on psychological well-being. Journal of Athletic Psychology, 20(3), 112–127.
Lee, E. H. (2020). Review of the psychometric evidence of the perceived stress scale. Asian Nursing Research, 14(4), 311–316.
McMorris, T., & Hale, B. J. (2018). Differential effects of differing intensities of acute exercise on speed and accuracy of cognition: A meta-analytical investigation. Brain and Cognition, 122, 51–60.
Myers, N. D., & Feltz, D. L. (2008). Self-regulation of intense emotion in sports: The role of worry, anxiety, and anger. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 30(2), 235–256.
Raglin, J. S. (2001). Psychological factors in sport performance: The Mental Health Model revisited. Sports Medicine, 31(12), 875–890.
Robinson, K., & Brown, R. (2020). Interpersonal conflicts and psychological fatigue among athletes. Sport Psychology Quarterly, 27(3), 180–195.
Sarkar, M., & Fletcher, D. (2014). Psychological resilience in sport performers: A review of stressors and protective factors. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(15), 1419–1434.
Smith, A. M., Zeuwts, L., Lenoir, M., Hens, N., & De Jong, L. M. (2018). Mental fatigue impairs soccer-specific decision-making skills. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(17), 1983-1990.
Smith, R. E., & Ptacek, J. T. (2005). Personal and situational influences on the coping process: A theoretical analysis. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 27(1), 27-51.
Smith, R. E., Schutz, R. W., Smoll, F. L., & Ptacek, J. T. (1995). Development and validation of a multidimensional measure of sport-specific psychological skills: The Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(4), 379-398.
Stoeber, J., & Otto, K. (2006). Positive conceptions of perfectionism: Approaches, evidence, challenges. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10(4), 295-319.
Stults-Kolehmainen, M. A., & Sinha, R. (2014). The effects of stress on physical activity and exercise. Sports Medicine, 44(1), 81-121.
Thelwell, R. C., Weston, N. J., & Greenlees, I. A. (2005). Defining and understanding mental toughness within soccer. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 17(4), 326-332.
(Congyuxin et al., 2024)
Congyuxin, Yukaihao, Samsudin, S., Manaf, F. B. A., Ramlan, M. A., & Farizan, N. H. (2024). Mental Fatigue in Sports: Causes, Effects, and Coping Strategies – A Review Study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(3), 1103–1110.
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seenavc at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode