The effect of ego depletion on sprint start reaction time

Englert, Christoph; Bertrams, Alex (2014). The effect of ego depletion on sprint start reaction time. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 36(5), pp. 506-515. Human Kinetics Publishers 10.1123/jsep.2014-0029

Text The effect of ego depletion on sprint start_Englert_Bertrams.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (133kB)

In the current study, we consider that optimal sprint start performance requires the self-control of responses. Therefore, start performance should depend on athletes' self-control strength. We assumed that momentary depletion of self-control strength (ego depletion) would either speed up or slow down the initiation of a sprint start, where an initiation that was sped up would carry the increased risk of a false start. Applying a mixed between- (depletion vs. nondepletion) and within- (before vs. after manipulation of depletion) subjects design, we tested the start reaction times of 37 sport students. We found that participants' start reaction times decelerated after finishing a depleting task, whereas it remained constant in the nondepletion condition. These results indicate that sprint start performance can be impaired by unrelated preceding actions that lower momentary self-control strength. We discuss practical implications in terms of optimizing sprint starts and related overall sprint performance.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

2 since deposited on 13 Mar 2015
0 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item