Boredom, motivation, and perceptions of pain: Mechanisms to explain the effects of self-control exertion on subsequent physical performance

Prior self-control exertion has been shown to have a detrimental effect on subsequent physical performance. However, some potential underpinning mechanisms of the yet be examined. The present study explored whether exerting reduces performance; and also examines role boredom, motivation, perceptions pain, sustained attention as explain these performance effects. In within-subjects order-balanced crossover design, 63 participants completed task (incongruent Stroop) non-self-control (congruent for 4 min. Immediately after, wall-sit until volitional exhaustion. Task-specific boredom was measured following Stroop task. Participants’ pain motivation were every 30 s during wall sit Upon completion wall-sit, test attention. Following task, participant’s time reduced (136 ± 62 s), compared when they (144 57 s, p = 0.05, d 0.14). Participant’s related significantly higher (4.30 1.23), (3.82 1.22) ( < 0.001, 0.39); but not different 0.79). led increased overall 0.02) 0.01) initial no differences in 0.16) or (response time, 0.99; response accuracy, 0.78) observed. Additional mediation analysis revealed that could explained by (all > 0.05). prior resulted decrement Furthermore, individuals’ whilst higher, lower, did difference between conditions. • Self-control Perceptions Overall exertion. Initial lower