Mental fatigue plays a critical role in sports and performance because it directly affects cognitive functions essential for success. When mentally fatigued, individuals experience:
Reduced Concentration: Difficulty maintaining focus on tasks, leading to lapses in attention.
Slower Decision-Making: Prolonged reaction times and impaired judgment during critical moments.
Increased Error Rates: A higher likelihood of making mistakes due to decreased cognitive control.
Decreased Motivation: A feeling of exhaustion that can reduce the willingness to exert effort.
Impaired Technical Skills: Challenges in executing complex motor skills accurately.
In competitive sports, even small declines in cognitive performance can have significant consequences. Mental fatigue can accumulate over time due to training, competition schedules, and external stressors, making it essential to address through targeted training like BET. By improving mental resilience, athletes can maintain optimal performance levels even under demanding conditions.