Effects of mental fatigue on psychophysiological, cognitive responses, and technical skills in small-sided games in amateur soccer players

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of mental fatigue (MF) on the psychophysiological and cognitive responses and technical skills in small-sided games (SSGs) in amateur soccer players. Material and Methods: 18 soccer players played 2vs2, 3vs3, and 4vs4 SSGs under 2 different playing conditions: MF+SSGs and SSGs. The Feeling Scale (FS), Felt Arousal Scale (FAS), Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety (VAS-A) and Motivation (MTV) were determined after each SSGs bout. A Trail-Making Test (TMT) was also determined in the beginning and at the end of each SSGs. Technical performance was continuously recorded with a camera during all SSGs. Results: The results demonstrated that MF induced higher negative psychophysiological and cognitive responses (p≤0.05, d=ranging from 0.73 to 2.78) in 2vs2 and 3vs3 SSGs compared to 4vs4 SSGs except for VAS-A and MTV responses. Furthermore, the MF intervention also induced an adverse effect on technical skills (p≤0.05, d=ranging from 0.65 to 2.50) in 2vs2 and 3vs3 SSGs compared to 4vs4 SSGs except for interception, tackle and two touches skills. Conclusions: These findings showed that MF impacted the psychophysiological and cognitive responses, and technical skills during SSGs. Coaches should take MF into account before planning SSGs.