Performance of a Psychomotor Skill following Rest, Exercise at the Plasma Epinephrine Threshold and Maximal Intensity Exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercising at the epinephrine threshold and at Maximum Power Output on the performance of a skill that requires both decision-making and motor performance. Participants ( N=12) undertook an incremental test to exhaustion from which their epinephrine threshold and Maximum Power Output were calculated. They were then examined on a soccer skill test following rest and exercise that was previously determined to elicit their epinephrine threshold and Maximum Power Output. The soccer test examined the participants' speed and accuracy of response. Speed of response was measured by voice reaction time and whole body reaction time. No significant effects of exercise were shown for any of the variables. The need for further research using more complex skill tests and the use of discontinuous exercise protocols, rather than continuous ones, is recommended.