Mental Fatigue Affects Lower Extremity Biomechanics Differently in Males and Females

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Jimei University have conducted a study to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on lower extremity biomechanics during single-leg drop landing among sport science university students. According to the study, males exhibited significantly smaller ankle plantarflexion angles after mental fatigue induction, while females compensated by reducing knee flexion. These findings suggest that mental fatigue induces a sex-specific strategic reorganization of distal-proximal joint control.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant difference in ankle plantarflexion angles between males and females after mental fatigue induction, with males exhibiting smaller angles.
  • Females compensated for mental fatigue by reducing knee flexion, indicating a sex-specific reorganization of joint control.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering sex differences in the effects of mental fatigue on biomechanics.
  • Mental fatigue primarily affects early anticipatory mechanisms rather than the entire impact absorption process.
  • The study underscores the theoretical value of non-significant indicators under the null hypothesis.

The study used a 2 x 2 mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) and found significant differences between males and females in ankle plantarflexion angles and knee flexion angles post-mental fatigue induction.

Statistics:

  • The study included 28 healthy sport science university students (14 females, 14 males).
  • The Stroop task was used to induce mental fatigue for 45 minutes.
  • The Vicon infrared motion capture system and Kistler force plates were used to capture kinematic and kinetic data during landing.
  • The study found significant differences in ankle plantarflexion angles between males and females post-mental fatigue induction (p < 0.05).
  • The study also found a sex main effect on ankle inversion angle.

Sources:

  • Wang Z, et al. (2025): Sex differences in the effects of mental fatigue on single-leg drop landing biomechanics among sport science university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025,16.
  • http://frontiersin.org/psychology
  • doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1678338