The role of executive function in the self-regulation of endurance performance: A critical review

Hyland-Monks, Robert; Cronin, Lorcan; McNaughton, Lars R.; Marchant, David

doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.09.011

Cited by 36 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…The models described above agree in that self-paced exercise involves several cognitive processes, such as perception and memory, as well as executive functions, such as inhibition and working memory (Hyland-Monks et al, 2018;Jacobson & Matthaeus, 2014b;Smits et al, 2014). Stimulation from internal organs (e.g., muscle, lungs, heart) and from environmental factors (e.g., competitors, public, road surface) need to be processed and integrated requiring athletes to select relevant sources of information and suppress potential distractions (Vickers & Williams, 2017).…”

Section: Role Of Executive Functions On Perceived Exertion During Selmentioning

confidence: 83%

Does self-paced exercise depend on executive processing? A narrative review of the current evidence

Holgado

Sanabria

2020

International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology

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Self-paced exercise is any physical activity in which the effort has to be distributed over time in order to achieve the objective of the event. Hence, self-paced aerobic exercise is a goal-directed behaviour towards an objective that involves several cognitive processes. The aim of the present review is to ask the extent to which self-paced exercise might rely on executive functions and the empirical evidence of top-down processing on self-paced exercise. We discuss the evidence from different experimental manipulations showing a potential link between self-paced exercise and executive processing. We finally highlight some gaps in the literature and possible factors that might mediate the role of executive processing and self-paced exercise. Self-paced exercise is likely to be a highly complex process, in which a multitude of factors non-related to executive functions can also contribute to the ultimate decision to upregulate or downregulate exercise intensity.

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Section: Role Of Executive Functions On Perceived Exertion During Selmentioning

confidence: 83%

Does self-paced exercise depend on executive processing? A narrative review of the current evidence

Holgado

Sanabria

2020

International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology

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“…The literature points to a contentious hypo-frontality hypothesis that assumes a reduction in prefrontal activity from prolonged exercise that, at physiologically challenging intensities, is deleterious to executive functions (Hyland-Monks et al, 2018;Tempest et al, 2017). While a decrease in prefrontal cortical activity after 45-60 minutes of exercise may occur (Wollseiffen et al, 2016), there may be a ceiling effect such that some measures of cognitive (executive) performance may remain the same or even improve post-exercise (Cona et al, 2015;Tempest et al, 2017;Wollseiffen et al, 2016).…”

Section: Flanker Task Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Postural Control, Dual Task Performance and Executive Function Following an Ultramarathon

et al. 2021

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As research into the postural and cognitive effects of ultramarathon running is sparse and still needed, we investigated the effect of ultramarathon running on runners’ postural control, dual task postural control and a measure of executive function—the flanker test, expecting fatigue-related deterioration on each measure. We used a pre- and post-test research design with 14 runners who completed (a) postural assessment with eyes open and closed, on a flat surface and on foam during (b) a two-choice reaction time dual task postural assessment, and (c) an executive function modified flanker task. With regard to postural stability, we observed, after running, increased anterior-posterior (AP) path length and AP root mean square (RMS) and reductions in both mediolateral (ML) RMS and ML median frequency. Dual task analysis showed reduced ML RMS prior to the race, whereas the effect was absent afterwards. Reaction times were not significantly altered between pre-post or surface conditions assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in mean modified flanker scores before and after the race. These data demonstrated that, following an endurance run, there were plane specific movement adaptations in postural sway that may have resulted from neuroprotective changes under extreme fatigue.

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“…Moreover, athletes with a higher meta-cognitive skill level were said to make more efficient use of training and competition, extrapolating more learning from a training session, which could then lead to an improvement in pacing behavior and performance (Elferink-Gemser et al, 2016;Jonker et al, 2019). More recently, it has been proposed that core executive functions support the topdown self-regulatory processes involved in pacing by sustaining attention to the planned goal, the inhibition of distractions to the goal and the adaptation of the pacing behavior as a result of external factors (Hofmann et al, 2012;Hyland-Monks et al, 2018). Adding to the rationale of the relation between the self-regulatory skillset and executive functioning in the case of pacing behavior, is the fact that both are closely linked to the pre-frontal cortex (Elferink-Gemser and Hyland-Monks et al, 2018).…”

Section: Underlying Mechanisms Of Pacing Behavior Development In Youtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, it has been proposed that core executive functions support the topdown self-regulatory processes involved in pacing by sustaining attention to the planned goal, the inhibition of distractions to the goal and the adaptation of the pacing behavior as a result of external factors (Hofmann et al, 2012;Hyland-Monks et al, 2018). Adding to the rationale of the relation between the self-regulatory skillset and executive functioning in the case of pacing behavior, is the fact that both are closely linked to the pre-frontal cortex (Elferink-Gemser and Hyland-Monks et al, 2018). The pre-frontal cortex is an area of the brain responsible for planning and decision making, and actively develops throughout adolescence (Casey et al, 2008).…”

Section: Underlying Mechanisms Of Pacing Behavior Development In Youtmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimal Development of Youth Athletes Toward Elite Athletic Performance: How to Coach Their Motivation, Plan Exercise Training, and Pace the Race

Menting

Hendry

Schiphof-Godart

et al. 2019

Front. Sports Act. Living

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Elite athletes have invested many years in training and competition to reach the elite level. One very important factor on the road to elite performance is the decision-making process regarding the regulation of effort over time, termed as pacing behavior. The regulation of effort is vital for optimal athletic performance during a single race and over a longer period of time (e.g., a competitive season) as an inadequate regulation could result in a higher risk of injuries, overtraining, and drop-out. Despite this, there is limited knowledge on how young athletes learn and develop the abilities related to pacing. Pacing behavior of athletes develops from childhood throughout adolescence and is thought to be closely connected to physical maturation, the development of pre-frontal cortical related (meta-) cognitive functions, as well as the gathering of experience with exercise tasks. The motivation of an athlete can critically influence how an athlete paces a single race, but also how they distribute their effort over a longer period of time. Coaches are advised to closely monitor the development of pacing behavior during adolescence (e.g., by gathering split times, and related physiological measurement, during training and competition), as well as the underlying factors including physical maturation (meta-) cognitive development and the motivation of young athletes. Furthermore, pacing behavior development could be aided by providing training in which the task, individual, and environment are manipulated. Hereby, presenting athletes with the opportunity to gain experience in situations which closely resemble the perceptual-motor conditions of upcoming competitions.

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The role of executive function in the self-regulation of endurance performance: A critical review

Cited by 36 publications

References 71 publications

Does self-paced exercise depend on executive processing? A narrative review of the current evidence

Does self-paced exercise depend on executive processing? A narrative review of the current evidence

Postural Control, Dual Task Performance and Executive Function Following an Ultramarathon

Optimal Development of Youth Athletes Toward Elite Athletic Performance: How to Coach Their Motivation, Plan Exercise Training, and Pace the Race

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