The Effects of Different Fatigue Types on Action Anticipation and Physical Performance in High-level Volleyball Players

This study examined the effects of different fatigue types on action anticipation and physical performance in high-level volleyball players. Twenty-four participants underwent four counterbalanced conditions: 60-min of cycling at 60% peak power output, 60-min Stroop task, 60-min cycling at 60% peak power output with Stroop task and 60-min neutral documentary to induce physical fatigue (PF), mental fatigue (MF), dual fatigue (DF) and control group (CG), respectively. Action anticipation (anticipation test and visual search test) and physical performance (countermovement jump, T-test, and spike test) were conducted at baseline, immediately after (Post1), and 40-min after fatigue intervention (Post2). DF and PF led to significantly lower jump height, T-test completion time, and spiking speed at Post1 and Post2 compared with CG and MF. Compared with PF, DF led to a significant decline in jumping, agility, and spiking performance at Post1 and decreased jumping performance at Post2. MF significantly decreased reaction time in the anticipation test at Post1 compared with CG. Reaction times in the visual search test were significantly lower with DF and MF at Post2 compared with CG. PF led to a greater decline in physical performance and this was exacerbated in DF, yet anticipation performance remained lesser impact.