March 2009 PMID 19131473

Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans.

Samuele M Marcora, Walter Staiano, Victoria Manning

Download social card

Mentions

35
Peak: 16 in Jan 2019
across 2 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

210,472
potential audience

Total likes

261

Video views

2,840

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter33 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussions reflect strong agreement and interest, with users referencing the study's implications for areas such as exercise tolerance and long COVID. Words like 'interesting' and phrases emphasizing the study's long-standing relevance illustrate high engagement and perceived impact, making it clear that this research has resonated deeply in both scientific and general discussions.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the validity of the research, with several posts emphasizing its scientific importance and long-term relevance, such as the one praising the 10-year anniversary of the publication.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions show high curiosity, with users referencing related topics like exercise tolerance, long COVID, and mental fatigue's effects, demonstrating engagement with the content's implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

While many comments support and reflect on the study, some posts express additional insights or raise questions, indicating a moderate level of analytical engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The collective tone suggests this research is considered influential, especially highlighted by discussions on mental fatigue's broader effects, which may alter how performance and health conditions are approached.

Abstract in brief

  • Mental fatigue, caused by prolonged demanding cognitive tasks, reduces physical endurance by making exercise feel more effortful, even though physiological responses like heart rate remain unchanged.
  • The study found that people who experienced mental fatigue exhausted faster during cycling because they perceived the exercise to be harder, leading them to stop earlier, though their motivation and mood were unaffected.
  • Overall, mental fatigue impacts physical performance primarily through increased perception of effort rather than changes in physical or energetic factors, highlighting a link between cognitive state and physical endurance.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is still among the "Most Read" in the Journal of Applied Physiology https://t.co/nE63CGhpjF

Jan 25, 2019 · 155 likes · 19 shares · 10,000 followers View post →
ɹǝʇlnoԀ pıʌɐᗡ
@Retlouping · X

Long COVID has reported effects on exercise tolerance & mental capacity, this study has been used by some to beg the question, is there a mental aspect to long COVID exercise intolerance? Simply NO. Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans https://t.co/q4XftmlFNk https://t.co/Uw5OP6IaEh

May 9, 2021 · 24 likes · 4 shares · 26,407 followers View post →
SportSciBangor
@SportSciBangor · X

An interesting article discussing the impact of mental fatigue on physical performance with reference to prominent @bangoruni #physiology research #performance #running https://t.co/YSH0wa8jNe https://t.co/wA1IonEo94

Apr 21, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 1,618 followers View post →
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

@IgorFreitasCruz @Go1MoreMile @runbabyo Feelings of tiredeness can often be disconnected from impaired physical state below the neck. Look at physiological data here https://t.co/eVUNKh1rK7

Oct 17, 2020 · 2 likes · 10,000 followers View post →
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

Actually, if one looks at individual results within experiments, there are often some individuals that show changes in the opposite direction of the mean effect. See here from my first study on mental fatigue https://t.co/JvcabyInKC https://t.co/1spi6snSIR

Jun 20, 2019 · 1 like · 10,000 followers View post →
Victor Fagarassi
@victorfagarassi · X

@_FNARDINI @hudifalarz Compreendo que é um assunto que cabe MUITO debate, mas pela veia da ciência, um esforço mental é um esforço físico. Segue link: https://t.co/AenWKxMAMs De qualquer maneira, qualquer debate é sempre muito produtivo, Fernando. Abraços!

Mar 26, 2019 · 1 like · 928 followers View post →

All mentions

tokatti
@tokatti_ · X

結果 頭脳作業をしたグループは「いつもよりツラい」と言い出す確率が高くなり、ドキュメンタリーグループより15%も早くギブアップした 15%の疲労感がどれぐらいパフォーマンスの低下につながってるか 約35センチの箱の上に100回ジャンプで飛び乗るのと同じぐらいの疲労感 https://t.co/I1lRRLydj7

Jun 2, 2025 · 189 followers View post →
Lennox Bennett
@LebenTech · X

Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans | Journal of Applied Physiology https://t.co/umeYMOsfDm

Nov 27, 2021 · 421 followers View post →
BÇ Arslan PT, PhD(C)
@ptBasakC · X

RT @Retlouping: Long COVID has reported effects on exercise tolerance & mental capacity, this study has been used by some to beg the questi…

May 9, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,070 followers View post →
MuhammadAfiqJ
@AfiqJ86 · X

RT @Retlouping: Long COVID has reported effects on exercise tolerance & mental capacity, this study has been used by some to beg the questi…

May 9, 2021 · 4 shares · 147 followers View post →
Madhan Ramanathan
@sportsphysiouk · X

RT @Retlouping: Long COVID has reported effects on exercise tolerance & mental capacity, this study has been used by some to beg the questi…

May 9, 2021 · 4 shares · 1,118 followers View post →
Todd Davenport
@sunsopeningband · X

RT @Retlouping: Long COVID has reported effects on exercise tolerance & mental capacity, this study has been used by some to beg the questi…

May 9, 2021 · 4 shares · 12,694 followers View post →
ɹǝʇlnoԀ pıʌɐᗡ
@Retlouping · X

Long COVID has reported effects on exercise tolerance & mental capacity, this study has been used by some to beg the question, is there a mental aspect to long COVID exercise intolerance? Simply NO. Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans https://t.co/q4XftmlFNk https://t.co/Uw5OP6IaEh

May 9, 2021 · 24 likes · 4 shares · 26,407 followers View post →
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

@IgorFreitasCruz @Go1MoreMile @runbabyo Feelings of tiredeness can often be disconnected from impaired physical state below the neck. Look at physiological data here https://t.co/eVUNKh1rK7

Oct 17, 2020 · 2 likes · 10,000 followers View post →
Stephan vd Zwaard
@StephanvdZwaard · X

Sep 23, 2020 · 939 followers View post →
Kristy Martin
@kristy_m22 · X

RT @SportSciBangor: An interesting article discussing the impact of mental fatigue on physical performance with reference to prominent @ban…

Apr 24, 2020 · 3 shares · 264 followers View post →
Sam Oliver
@SamOliverPhD · X

RT @SportSciBangor: An interesting article discussing the impact of mental fatigue on physical performance with reference to prominent @ban…

Apr 24, 2020 · 3 shares · 712 followers View post →
Bangor Psychology
@PsychBangor · X

RT @SportSciBangor: An interesting article discussing the impact of mental fatigue on physical performance with reference to prominent @ban…

Apr 21, 2020 · 3 shares · 3,494 followers View post →
SportSciBangor
@SportSciBangor · X

An interesting article discussing the impact of mental fatigue on physical performance with reference to prominent @bangoruni #physiology research #performance #running https://t.co/YSH0wa8jNe https://t.co/wA1IonEo94

Apr 21, 2020 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 1,618 followers View post →
Journal of Applied Physiology
@japplphysiol · X

RT @APSPublications: Why Hard Training Makes You More Impulsive - @outsidemagazine cites research in @japplphysiol! (original: https://t.co…

Oct 9, 2019 · 1 share · 26,724 followers View post →
APS Publications
@APSPublications · X

Why Hard Training Makes You More Impulsive - @outsidemagazine cites research in @japplphysiol! (original: https://t.co/NPtAJaKkua) https://t.co/RsTEsmv44w

Oct 9, 2019 · 1 share · 7,394 followers View post →
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

Actually, if one looks at individual results within experiments, there are often some individuals that show changes in the opposite direction of the mean effect. See here from my first study on mental fatigue https://t.co/JvcabyInKC https://t.co/1spi6snSIR

Jun 20, 2019 · 1 like · 10,000 followers View post →
Victor Fagarassi
@victorfagarassi · X

@_FNARDINI @hudifalarz Compreendo que é um assunto que cabe MUITO debate, mas pela veia da ciência, um esforço mental é um esforço físico. Segue link: https://t.co/AenWKxMAMs De qualquer maneira, qualquer debate é sempre muito produtivo, Fernando. Abraços!

Mar 26, 2019 · 1 like · 928 followers View post →
Dr. Julián Campos
@GeneticistMx · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 28, 2019 · 19 shares · 1,337 followers View post →
Journal of Applied Physiology
@japplphysiol · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 27, 2019 · 19 shares · 26,724 followers View post →
Andrew Creer
@AndrewCreer · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 26, 2019 · 19 shares · 205 followers View post →
Jani Vaara
@JaniVaara · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 26, 2019 · 19 shares · 596 followers View post →
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 26, 2019 · 19 shares · 10,000 followers View post →
Kevin Tipton
@proftipper · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 26, 2019 · 19 shares · 18,156 followers View post →
Trendafil Stoychev
@soolos31 · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 26, 2019 · 19 shares · 72 followers View post →
Trent Stellingwerff, PhD / CSEP-CEP / FACSM / ChPC
@TStellingwerff · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 23,121 followers View post →
Paddy Johnson
@paddyALJ · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 28 followers View post →
Football Medicine Association Australia
@FootballMedNSW · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 243 followers View post →
Dr. Adam Naylor
@ahnaylor · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 2,316 followers View post →
Sportfisio Swiss
@SportfisioSwiss · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 6,783 followers View post →
Sandro F. da Silva
@sandrofersilva · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 556 followers View post →
Chris C
@carling_chris · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 2,069 followers View post →
Bryant Seamon
@BryantSeamon · X

RT @SamueleMarcora: Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is s…

Jan 25, 2019 · 19 shares · 632 followers View post →
Samuele Marcora
@SamueleMarcora · X

Very proud that, 10 years after its publication, our paper "Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans" is still among the "Most Read" in the Journal of Applied Physiology https://t.co/nE63CGhpjF

Jan 25, 2019 · 155 likes · 19 shares · 10,000 followers View post →