Journals / Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2026

The Acute Effects Of Mental Fatigue On Cycling Performance And Psychophysiological Responses: A Systematic Review

Mental Yorgunluğun Bisiklet Performansı ve Psikofizyolojik Yanıtlar Üzerindeki Akut Etkileri: Sistematik Bir Derleme

Gökmen Özen(Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi)0000-0001-5756-653X
Esra Kürkcü Akgönül(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-3771-937X
Ezgi Ayaz(NISANTASI UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-5696-201X
Özlem Yener(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0000-0000-0000
Pages
375–389
Publication Date
2026-05-26
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: In conclusion, prolonged MF of 30 minutes or more reduces cycling performance at over 80% intensity for at least 8 minutes and increases RPE; however, MF does not affect maximal, short-term performance for 6 minutes or less and physiological responses.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Purpose: Mental fatigue (MF) is known to negatively impact the performance of cyclists, but evidence regarding its effects on performance is limited.
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Key Findings & Data:In this context, the aim of this study is to systematically review publications in the literature that examine the effects of MF on cycling performance.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: In conclusion, prolonged MF of 30 minutes or more reduces cycling performance at over 80% intensity for at least 8 minutes and increases RPE; however, MF does not affect maximal, short-term performance for 6 minutes or less and physiological responses.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Akut etki · Bisiklet · Mental yorgunluk

Abstract

Purpose: Mental fatigue (MF) is known to negatively impact the performance of cyclists, but evidence regarding its effects on performance is limited. More comprehensive information is needed on this subject. In this context, the aim of this study is to systematically review publications in the literature that examine the effects of MF on cycling performance. Method: Studies related to the keywords “mental fatigue”, “cycling”, “performance”, and “acute effect” were searched in Google Scholar and PubMed databases. A total of 12 studies were examined using the PICO approach, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Results: According to the research findings, after prolonged MF applications of 30-90 minutes, time trial cycling performance at 80-100% of peak power for 8-10 minutes decreases in terms of exhaustion time and average power value. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) level measured after the performance increases; this result indicates that the decrease in performance is related to the increase in RPE. Therefore, MF exposure reduces endurance performance. After MF application, there is no change on levels of physiological responses such as heart rate (HR), lactate (LA), and glucose (GLU); however, cognitive characteristics such as dexterity, motivation, EEG activity and perception are negatively affected. As the sports level of decreases, the negative effect of MF application on performance increases. In addition, MF negatively affects the performance of recreational or amateur athletes. In contrast, regardless of the duration of MF application has no effect on maximum intensity performance of 6 minutes and below, and 30 seconds of Wingate anaerobic performance. Conclusion: In conclusion, prolonged MF of 30 minutes or more reduces cycling performance at over 80% intensity for at least 8 minutes and increases RPE; however, MF does not affect maximal, short-term performance for 6 minutes or less and physiological responses. Adding factors that mitigate or minimize the effects of MF, instead of factors that negatively impact performance, could eliminate the negative impact of MF on endurance performance. In this respect, incorporating practices that reduce the effects of MF in cyclists who are negatively affected cognitively could positively influence their performance graph.

Özet

Amaç: Mental yorgunluğun bisiklet performansı üzerindeki olumsuz etkileri bilinmesine rağmen, bu etkinin boyutu ve mekanizmaları hakkında literatürde sınırlı ve dağınık bulgular bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, mental yorgunluğun bisiklet performansı üzerindeki akut etkilerini inceleyen çalışmaları sistematik olarak değerlendirmektir. Yöntem: Mental yorgunluk”, “bisiklet”, “performans” ve “akut etki” anahtar kelimeleri kullanılarak Google Scholar ve PubMed veri tabanlarında tarama yapılmıştır. PRISMA yönergelerine uygun olarak PICO yaklaşımı temelinde toplam 12 çalışma analize dahil edilmiştir. Bulgular: Araştırma bulgularına göre, 30–90 dakika süren mental yorgunluk uygulamaları sonrasında, %80–100 şiddetinde gerçekleştirilen 8–10 dakikalık zamana karşı bisiklet performansında tükenme süresi ve ortalama güç değerlerinde azalma gözlenmiştir. Performans sonrasında ölçülen algılanan zorlanma düzeyinin (RPE) artması, performanstaki düşüşün RPE artışı ile ilişkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu doğrultuda mental yorgunluğun dayanıklılık performansını olumsuz etkilediği görülmektedir. Buna karşın, mental yorgunluk uygulamaları kalp atım hızı (HR), laktat (LA) ve glikoz (GLU) gibi fizyolojik parametrelerde anlamlı bir değişime neden olmamıştır. Ancak dikkat, motivasyon, EEG aktivitesi ve algı gibi bilişsel özelliklerin olumsuz etkilendiği belirlenmiştir. Sporcu seviyesi azaldıkça mental yorgunluğun performans üzerindeki olumsuz etkisinin arttığı, rekreatif ve amatör sporcuların bu durumdan daha fazla etkilendiği saptanmıştır. Buna karşılık, mental yorgunluğun süresinden bağımsız olarak 6 dakika ve altındaki maksimal performans ile 30 saniyelik Wingate anaerobik performansı üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisi bulunmamıştır. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, 30 dakika ve üzerindeki mental yorgunluk, en az 8 dakika süren ve %80’in üzerindeki şiddette gerçekleştirilen bisiklet performansını olumsuz etkilerken, kısa süreli maksimal performansı ve fizyolojik yanıtları etkilememektedir. Performansı olumsuz etkileyen faktörler yerine mental yorgunluğun etkilerini azaltmaya yönelik stratejilerin uygulanması, dayanıklılık performansı üzerindeki olumsuz etkileri azaltabilir. Bu bağlamda, bilişsel olarak etkilenen bisikletçilerde mental yorgunluğu azaltıcı uygulamaların performans üzerinde olumlu etkiler sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Özen, G., Akgönül, E. K., Ayaz, E., Yener, Ö. (2026). The Acute Effects Of Mental Fatigue On Cycling Performance And Psychophysiological Responses: A Systematic Review. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2026, 375–389. https://ajindex.com/articles/1471820

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