A Simple Sensitive Method for Measuring Borderline Mental Fatigue

Abstract

Mental fatigue [MF] is a critical condition that can accompany cognitive dysfunction. Various surveys have been used to determine the MF state. However, differences in participants' perception levels' can decrease' survey specificity, which therefore should be supported using objective methods. This study describes a new and simple MF scale based on evaluating results from the Piper Fatigue Scale [PFS], together with the results for reaction times. In the study, 29 healthy, right-handed, male, medical student volunteers were included. Attending a theoretical class for 4 hours was used as the MF model. PFS was applied before and after the MF model to determine their levels of vulnerability to fatigue and perception of fatigue qualitatively. The finger tapping test [FTT] and simple and complex visual reaction time [VRT] tests were used to determine physical fatigue and MF quantitatively. There were no significant differences between pre-and post-fatigue PFS scores or FTT and simple VRT results [p=0.531, p=0.160, p=0.065, respectively]. However, the complex Original Research ArticleVRT was significantly longer after the MF model [p<0.05]. This study showed that borderline MF, which cannot be determined by the PFS alone, might be accomplished when tested with the complex VRT test that keeps participants in a vigilant state.

Use of psychophysiological computer tests during the process of sportsmen’s preparation

“…Factors that may influence the performer's reaction time are: gender and age, psychological state, level of fitness, number of possible responses, time available, intensity of the stimuli, experience, health, body temperature (the colder the slower), personality (extroverts react quicker), state of alertness or length of neural pathways. It is wellknown that athletes have better reaction time than non-athletes (Akarsu et Tønnessen et al, 2013), that tired people react slower than well-rested ones (Aydin et al, 2016) and that in children the reaction improves with age (Montes- Mico et al, 2000). And, of course, the reaction time depends on the type of reaction: simple reactions are characterized by a single signal and one previously known response action.…”