Self-control exertion on an initial task has been associated with impaired performance on subsequent physical tasks also requiring self-control; an effect suggested to be mediated by changes in perceptions of pain and motivation. However, the effects of spending longer on the initial self-control task are unknown. This study, therefore, explored the potential for the duration of the initial self-control task to influence subsequent physical performance, perceptions of pain, and perceived motivation; particularly during the early stages of the physical task. In a within-subject design, 29 participants (11 male, 18 female) completed a wall-sit task until volitional exhaustion, on four separate occasions. Prior to each wall-sit, participants completed either a non-self-control task (congruent Stroop task) for 4 min, or a self-control task (incongruent Stroop task) for 4 (short duration), 8 (medium duration), or 16 (long duration) min. Participant’s perceptions of pain and motivation were recorded every 30 s during the wall-sit. Wall-sit performance time was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and perceptions of pain and motivation analyzed using multi-level modeling. Wall-sit performance time was significantly longer on the non-self-control exertion trial compared to all other trials (all
p
< 0.01), as well as longer on both the short duration and medium duration self-control exertion trials compared to the long duration self-control exertion trial (both
p
< 0.001). Perceptions of initial (at 30 s) pain and motivation were different between the trials (main effect of trial: pain,
p
= 0.001; motivation,
p
< 0.001); whereby longer durations of self-control exertion increased perceptions of pain and decreased motivation. The decrease in motivation during the wall-sit task was greater on the long duration self-control exertion trial compared to all other trials (trial
∗
time interactions, all
p
< 0.05). The present study provides novel evidence that spending longer on the initial self-control task led to greater detrimental effects on subsequent wall-sit performance time. Furthermore, longer duration self-control exertion tasks led to increased perceptions of pain and decreased motivation within the first 30 s of the wall-sit task, as well as a greater decrease in motivation across the wall-sit task. These attentional and motivational shifts may explain performance decrements following the exertion of self-control.
Purpose
Motivational processes are insufficiently recognized in models of human endurance. Hence, two studies examined a motivational model proposing that the quality of pre‐task autonomous motivation influences performance at high intensity via the in‐task temptation to reduce effort and value of goal pursuit.
Methods
The studies involved 40 participants each (Study 1:33% female, Mage = 21.55, SD = 1.97; Study 2:45% female, Mage = 22.65, SD = 2.61) completing measures of autonomous motivation prior to a 10‐minute cycling task. Measures of the temptation to reduce effort and value of goal pursuit were taken every minute during the trial (Study 1) or near the midpoint of the trial (Study 2). Data were analyzed using multilevel growth and parallel mediation models.
Results
In both studies, autonomous motivation was associated with lower temptation to reduce effort and higher value of goal pursuit, which were subsequently characteristic of better performance. Study 1 revealed nuances within these relationships depending on whether task initiation or change over time was considered. In Study 2, indirect effects of autonomous motivation on performance via temptation to reduce effort (b = 0.20, 95% CIs 0.03‐0.50) and goal value (b = 0.26, 95% CIs 0.01‐0.44) were evidenced.
Conclusion
Two studies supported a theoretically viable model explaining the dynamics between pre‐task and in‐task motivation underpinning performance at high intensities.
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