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The Psychomotor Fatigue Threshold Test (PFTT) is specifically designed to identify the precise moment when an athlete's cognitive abilities, particularly in terms of reaction time, are at their peak during intense physical activity.
This test reveals that as an athlete intensifies their workout, their cognitive performance improves, reaching a peak level of sharpness and speed.
However, once this peak is surpassed, despite ongoing physical effort, cognitive speed begins to decline, indicated by slower reaction times. The PFTT accurately determines this crucial shift, pinpointing the optimal period for peak mental performance, unaffected by physical fatigue.
Integrating the PFTT into training schedules, whether at the start, during breaks, or at the end of sessions, offers a clear indicator of when an athlete's reaction time begins to falter, signifying they have exceeded their optimal performance zone.
Through regular, targeted training, this observed decline in cognitive speed can be minimized, progressively enhancing the athlete's overall performance and mental endurance.
Research