The Effect of Fatigue on Cognitive Tasks Among Young Adults

Background: This study investigates the impact of fatigue on cognitive and motor performance among young adults (18-25 years old) using the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT). Fatigue is known to affect domains such as attention, memory, and motor skills, with physical fatigue from strenuous activities impairing cognitive performance. The study aims to assess fatigue's effect on motor speed and coordination, evaluate cognitive processing speed, and compare performance between fatigued and non-fatigued states. Methods: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted with 42 participants, averaging 22.12 years of age, who were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group followed regular sleep and rest patterns, while the experimental group underwent a 45-minute high-intensity exercise session to induce fatigue. Performance was measured using the GPT both before and immediately after the fatigue induction. Participants also completed a post-test survey reporting perceived levels of fatigue. Results: Survey responses revealed that fatigue significantly affected performance, with 47% of participants strongly agreeing that fatigue impacted their cognitive and motor functions. Significant positive correlations were found between the EXP GPD Score and Control GPD Score (0.8031), and between EXP GPD Errors and Control GPD Errors (0.8595). The regression analysis indicated that for every unit increase in the Fatigue Borg Scale, the EXP GPD Score (time) increased by approximately 0.8036 units. Paired samples t-tests confirmed significant differences in performance and perceived fatigue between control and post-fatigue groups. Conclusion: The study confirms the detrimental effects of fatigue on cognitive-motor performance, with significant impairments in motor speed, coordination, and cognitive processing speed. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate fatigue and support optimal performance in various contexts.