Exploring the effects of physical fatigue on cognitive performance of youth soccer players

This study aimed to verify whether the peripheral perception and decision making of young soccer players are influenced by physical fatigue. The sample was composed of 48 soccer players from two youth academies of Brazilian clubs (17.03 +/- 2.33 years old). In laboratory conditions, the Vienna Test System and the TacticUP (R) video test was used to assess peripheral perception and decision making (response time and decision-making quality), respectively. Physical fatigue was induced through T-SAFT(90) that simulated the metabolic and physical demands of a soccer game (e.g., acceleration, deacceleration, change direction, jump, and technical action). Peripheral perception and decision-making abilities were compared between the control and physical fatigue "conditions". Results displayed that physical fatigue did not influence peripheral perception and decision-making quality, although it improved decision-making response time for the tactical principles of penetration, width and length with the ball, delay, defensive coverage, and recovery balance. In summary, physical fatigue did not affect players' ability to detect information from the peripheral visual field and did not influence the quality of decision-making of soccer players. In addition, physical fatigue induced players to make quicker decisions regarding tactical actions near the ball and inside the centre of play. Thus, we conclude that only the response time of decision-making of youth soccer players is influenced by physical fatigue.