This episode explores the impact of mental fatigue on athletes, particularly in track and field, and the crucial role coaches play in both mitigating fatigue and promoting recovery.
Source:
Key Takeaways:
🔹 Mental fatigue affects performance: 96% of practitioners agree it has a major impact on training and competition.
🔹 Signs of mental fatigue: Decreased session quality, loss of focus, slower reaction times, hesitation under pressure.
🔹 Mental recovery is key: Athletes who prioritise it adapt better to training, regulate emotions more effectively, and improve performance.
Action Items for Coaches
Assess Mental Fatigue & Recovery
- Only 23.7% of practitioners assess recovery—start including subjective and objective measures!
- Use quick check-ins like energy-level surveys, mood tracking, or training log reflections.
- Leverage technology (e.g., heart rate variability monitoring) to track fatigue levels.
Integrate Mental Resilience into Training
- Introduce mental load in drills:
- Add time constraints or decision-making tasks to technical sessions.
- For sprinters: Vary reaction times in starts.
- For distance runners: Simulate pace changes under distractions.
- For jumpers and throwers: Add 'chaos' drills that ask athletes to make adjustments to their technique mid-action.
- Thi can also support athletes to meet mental demands in competition.
Offer Recovery Options
- Encourage self-selected recovery strategies: Mindfulness, guided imagery, restorative breaks.
- Explain the benefits of different techniques and allow athletes to choose what works best.
Foster Collaboration
- Communicate with athletes, sports psychologists, strength coaches, and nutritionists.
- Regularly check in on training loads, sleep patterns, and mental state.
