Influence of Imposed Fatigue on Learning a Jumping Task and a Juggling Task

Abstract Male subjects (N = 41) were used to determine the effects of practice performed during a fatigued state on the learning of two motor tasks. Two groups of subjects learned a jumping skill and a juggling skill under different conditions of fatigue. Subjects who practiced in a fatigued state were designated the experimental group. Fatigue was imposed by regulating resistance in a bicycle exercise to an intensity which developed a heart rate of 180 beats per minute. Exercise was continued for an additional 2 min. at that resistance. Eleven practice periods scheluled over a 6-week period were provided. At the conclusion of the investigation significant differences were found between the two groups. Learning of the speed component in the jumping task was impaired in the fatigued state. Learning of the accuracy component in the jumping task was enchanced by practice in a fatigued state. Learning to juggle was also enhanced by practice performed in a fatigued state. The findings suggest that fatigue has a differential effect on learning dependent upon the nature of the task being learned.