Corollary discharges and fatigue-related symptoms: the role of attentional focus

Why do we stop? This question has intrigued researchers and exercise professionals worldwide (Noakes, 2000; Marcora, 2010; Amann et al., 2013). The answer is apparently linked to peripheral and cortical changes (Gandevia, 2001). Interestingly, most researchers are uncertain about the real mechanisms that underlie fatigue and task disengagement during exercise (Shephard, 2009). Due to the fact that fatigue-related symptoms are connected to psychophysiological changes and exercise performance, this question is paramount to understand the exercising human body (Marcora, 2008). Compelling evidence suggests that both peripheral changes and cortical activity create the sense of effort (Noakes, 2011). In such instance, the magnitude imposed by both cortical and peripheral changes will be determined in accord with the exercise mode and intensity. The present piece of work aims to provide an update on the psychobiological model (Pageaux, 2014) based on the evidence that attentional focus manipulates exerciser’s consciousness with consequent effects on exertional responses and exercise performance (Lohse et al., 2010; Lohse and Sherwood, 2011). “The psychobiological model is an effort-based decision making model based on motivational intensity theory, and postulates that the conscious regulation of pace is determined primarily by five different cognitive/motivational factors: Perception of effort; potential motivation; knowledge of the distance/time to cover; knowledge of the distance/time remaining; previous experience/memory of perception of effort during exercise of varying intensity and duration” (Pageaux, 2014). An integrative model has been developed to underpin psychological responses that occur in response to the increasing exercise intensity.