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.