A Comparison of Cognitive Performance Decreases During Acute, Progressive Fatigue Arising From Different Concurrent Stressors

Abstract

Fatigue is known to impair cognitive performance, but it remains unclear whether concurrent common stressors affect cognitive performance similarly. We used the Stroop Color-Word Conflict Test to assess cognitive performance over 24 hours for four groups: control, sleep-deprived (SD), SD + energy deficit, and SD + energy deficit + fluid restricted. Fatigue levels were quantified using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) survey. Linear mixed-effects (LME) models allowed for testing of group-specific differences in cognitive performance while accounting for subject-level variation. Starting fatigue levels were similar among all groups, while 24-hour fatigue levels differed significantly. For each cognitive performance test, results were modeled separately. The simplest LME model contained a significant fixed-effects term for slope and intercept. Moreover, the simplest LME model used a single slope coefficient to fit data from all four groups, suggesting that loss in cognitive performance over a 24-hour duty cycle with respect to fatigue level is similar regardless of the cause.

Human Performance Deterioration Due to Prolonged Wakefulness Can Be Accurately Detected Using Time-Varying Spectral Analysis of Electrodermal Activity

“…Spectral indices of HRV have been used to assess the dynamics of the ANS, and it was suggested that the markers of parasympathetic and sympathetic activities are largely found in the HFs and LFs, respectively (Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996). The effects of sleep deprivation on HRV have been extensively studied, with different levels of success (Chua et al, 2012;Fogt, Cooke, Kalns, & Michael, 2011;Fogt, Kalns, & Michael, 2010;Glos, Fietze, Blau, Baumann, & Penzel, 2014;Nakano et al, 2000;Pagani et al, 2009;Vicente, Laguna, Bartra, & Bailón, 2016;Viola, James, Archer, & Dijk, 2008;Zhong et al, 2005). In general, these studies found that HRV alone has a limited potential to delineate the effects of sleep deprivation.…”

Sleep Deprivation in Young and Healthy Subjects Is More Sensitively Identified by Higher Frequencies of Electrodermal Activity than by Skin Conductance Level Evaluated in the Time Domain

“…Despite the spectral overlap, HRVHF is widely used as a marker of parasympathetic function and HRVLF is used as a marker of sympathetic function (Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, 1996). Many studies have used indices of HRV to track the effects of sleep deprivation on humans (Nakano et al, 2000; Zhong et al, 2005; Viola et al, 2008; Pagani et al, 2009; Fogt et al, 2010, 2011; Chua et al, 2012; Glos et al, 2014; Vicente et al, 2016), with different levels of success. These studies suggest that HRV has the potential to track several effects of sleep deprivation.…”

Positive Effects of Basic Training on Cognitive Performance and Mood of Adult Females

“…Research findings from numerous nonmilitary domains such as nutrition, psychopharmacology, and environmental medicine suggest improved mood state is often associated with improved cognitive performance and that degraded mood is associated with impaired cognitive function. However, the strength of the associations observed varies from study to study depending on the specific aspects of mood and performance examined (Childs & de Wit, 2008;Fiedler, 2005;Fogt, Kalns, & Michael, 2010;Lieberman et al, 2005;Lieberman, Tharion, Shukitt-Hale, Speckman, & Tulley, 2002;Magill et al, 2003).…”