The Performance during the Exercise: Legitimizing the Psychophysiological Approach

Abstract

Over the years, there has been a growing interest in the study of issues related to the psychophysiological processes underlying sports performance. A relatively recent perspective is supported by the concept that the brain acts as a central regulator of performance during exercise. This phenomenon is called pacing and is based on the premise that prior knowledge about the activity plays a fundamental role for individuals to self-regulate their efforts throughout the exercise. However, knowledge regarding this topic remains scarce, and further clarification is needed. This chapter reports new perspectives in relation to the existing evidence regarding the role of the brain as a central regulator of performance, questioning the complex interdependencies and interrelations between fatigue and physical exercise in the light of a psychophysiological perspective. A broader understanding of the cognitive basis of the psychophysiological phenomenon during the exercise is needed, bringing together concepts such as pacing behavior, decision-making, self-regulation of effort, prior knowledge of the duration of the task, and perception of effort.

Tactical Knowledge by Decision Making and Motor Efficiency of Young Football Players in Different Playing Positions during a Three-a-Side Small-Sided Game

“…The results showed that tactical performance seems to vary between positions on different principles. This can be explained by the fact that, in the early years of sports practice, players are directed to the basic and general content of collective sports games [ 54 , 55 ]. During the game teaching process, it is possible to identify a tendency to direct it to the goal and forget defensive phase content, such as contention, coverage, balance, and concentration [ 56 ].…”

“…Future studies should consider the inclusion of these principles through a similar analysis in medium- and large-sided games (MSG, LSG) to assess tactical knowledge through the decision making and motor efficiency of young football players in these training task formats [ 28 ]. The evaluation and control of the actions may contribute to enhancement of individual and collective performance [ 28 , 55 ]. Future studies should: (i) assess player differences in performance with random and non-random divisions; (ii) compare players’ performances by competitive levels; (iii) perform a longitudinal analysis; (iv) compare tactical knowledge across teams.…”

Weekly Training Load across a Standard Microcycle in a Sub-Elite Youth Football Academy: A Comparison between Starters and Non-Starters

“…Current research also suggests a trend towards high-intensity activity as current training data showed a tendency towards higher values in non-starters, specifically for DEC, HSR, and SPR. The weekly training load disparities between elite and sub-elite football players are due to expertise level, periodization strategy, and training content [ 48 , 49 ], considering that it is possible that shorter training duration in sub-elite contexts may lead coaches to prioritize equity of practice opportunities for non-starters [ 48 ]. Otherwise, the intra- and inter-individual variation training load may influence the perceived exertion, pacing strategies, and high-intensity demands [ 11 ].…”

Integrating physical and tactical factors in football using positional data: a systematic review

“…Therefore, an integrative approach was expanded in eight articles by adding psychophysiological and technical outcomes ( Bradley & Ade, 2018 ; Paul, Bradley & Nassis, 2015 ). Considering the multifactorial phenomenon of performance in team sports, it is also important to consider the influence of psychological variables on the control of physical capacities, pacing behaviour, decision-making, self-regulation, and effort perception ( Branquinho et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Ferraz et al, 2022 ). Also, bringing together observational methodologies should be considered when positional data is to be made meaningful with skilled and technical aspects ( Anguera & Hernández Mendo, 2013 ; Preciado et al, 2019 ; Sarmento et al, 2018 ).…”