Mental Fatigue and Neuromuscular Performance in Athletes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Mental fatigue is a psychobiological state induced by prolonged cognitive activity that impairs attention, executive function, and motor regulation. Although its adverse effects on athletic performance have been increasingly recognized, evidence regarding its influence on neuromuscular performance remains inconsistent across different sports and performance outcomes.
Objective: To systematically synthesize evidence on the effects of mental fatigue on neuromuscular performance in athletes.
Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Statement. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for original studies published between 2016 and 2025. Ten experimental studies involving athletes or physically active individuals met the eligibility criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist, and risk of bias was evaluated. Due to methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.
Results: Ten studies consistently demonstrated that mental fatigue impaired endurance performance, sport-specific technical performance, motor control, movement quality, and decision-making. In contrast, evidence regarding maximal neuromuscular function and explosive performance remained inconsistent. Overall, the included studies demonstrated moderate to high methodological quality with an overall low to moderate risk of bias.
Conclusion: Mental fatigue predominantly impairs neuromuscular performance through central mechanisms, particularly affecting endurance capacity, technical execution, motor control, and decision-making. Monitoring cognitive workload alongside physical training may contribute to improved athletic performance. Further high-quality randomized controlled studies using standardized neuromuscular outcomes are warranted.