Effect of Cognitive Load on the Functional State of Athletes

Studies show that cognitive load can negatively affect physical performance. In everyday life, cognitive load can include smartphone use, playing video games, studying or driving a car. Athletes routinely face cognitive demands during competitions; however, it remains unclear to what extent they are resilient to cognitive loads outside of the sports context and whether such loads can affect subsequent athletic performance. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of cognitive load on athletes’ functional state. Materials and methods. The experiment was conducted at the Research Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, and involved 42 male students (mean age 21.35 ± 3.01 years): professional athletes (football, basketball, handball, belt wrestling, sambo, karate, taekwondo, swimming and hockey; n = 33) and non-athletes (n = 9). A 30-minute incongruent Stroop test was used as cognitive load. Before and after the test, the participants completed a fatigue visual analogue scale (VAS), their heart rate and blood pressure were measured. In addition, tests for simple visual-motor reaction and working memory were performed, as well as the Romberg test with eyes open and closed, two maximal effort handgrip attempts, one endurance dynamometry attempt with simultaneous recording of the electrical activity of the muscles involved, followed by the Borg CR-10 scale for perceived exertion. Results. The research demonstrated that cognitive load increases perceived exertion and negatively affects athletes’ physiological parameters, indicating the impact of cognitive fatigue on the autonomic regulation. Noteworthy, simple visual-motor reaction and working memory parameters, reflecting basic cognitive and sensorimotor functions, remained stable in athletes after cognitive load. While dynamometry showed no significant changes, a significant decrease in muscle electrical activity was observed in athletes.