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Study type: Randomized controlled trialConfidence: Moderate

Mental Fatigue From Smartphone Use Reduces Volume-Load in Resistance Training: A Randomized, Single-Blinded Cross-Over Study

Gantois P, Lima-Júnior DA, Fortes LS, Batista GR, Nakamura FY, Fonseca FS

Year2021
Sample sizen=16
JournalPerceptual and Motor Skills
AuthorsGantois P, Lima-Júnior DA, Fortes LS, Batista GR, Nakamura FY, Fonseca FS

Evidence is still building up

Summary

Summary

In a single-blinded, randomized cross-over trial of 16 recreationally trained adults, 30 minutes of smartphone social media use before training significantly increased perceived mental fatigue (p = .004) compared with watching a documentary, and significantly reduced volume-load during a subsequent half back-squat protocol (3 sets at 80% of 15RM, p = .006). Perceived exertion, motivation, and physiological markers did not differ between conditions. The sample is small (n = 16) and from a single study; replication is needed.

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DOI: 10.1177/00315125211016233

Key Findings

Key findings

  • 1

    30 minutes of smartphone social media use significantly increased perceived mental fatigue versus watching a documentary (p = .004)

  • 2

    Volume-load during a subsequent half back-squat protocol (3 sets at 80% of 15RM) was significantly reduced under the same condition (p = .006)

  • 3

    Perceived exertion (RPE), motivation, and physiological markers (e.g. heart rate) did not differ between conditions

  • 4

    The study involved only 16 recreationally trained participants in a single-blinded, single study; replication is needed before generalizing

Related Research

Related research

Randomized controlled trial

Mental Fatigue From Smartphone Use or Stroop Task Does Not Affect Bench Press Force–Velocity Profile, One-Repetition Maximum, or Vertical Jump Performance

Motor Control, 2023

In a randomized, double-blind cross-over trial of 25 resistance-trained adults, both 30 minutes of smartphone social media use and a Stroop task significantly increased perceived mental fatigue relative to a control condition (social media: p = .007; Stroop: p < .001). However, neither condition affected the bench press force–velocity profile, one-repetition maximum, or countermovement jump performance, with effect sizes negligible to small (≤0.24). The findings suggest mental fatigue can be induced subjectively without translating into reduced maximal strength or power output in a single testing session.

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