The Effect Of Ego Depletion On The Performance Of Athletes

Self-control is the core component of self-awareness,and major executive functions of self.It can trigger or suppress specific acts, including impulse inhibition,temptation resistance,gratification delay,act plan making and execution and changing themselves so as to adapt to social and other standards.Theory of Self-control as limited resource is an importance theoretical advance.Recent evidence indicates that self-regulation often consumes a limited resource,akin to energy or strength,this may create a temporary state of ego depletion,and researcher hopes that by examining the sub-normal performance through the ego-depletion,we could get a new understanding of the psychological impact on performance.Five empirical studies were conducted,including a qualitative analysis and four series experiments.In the first study,fourteen elite athletes with gold medals at Olympics and/or world championships were interviewed using an in-depth approach.The participants of experiment were ordinary athletes.Major conclusions of the Study were as follows:(1) Feeling was cited by Chinese elite athletes who had got successful self-regulation.Major factors perceived to have positively influenced performances including calm,smooth rhythm,concentration and flow. Feelings that were cited about the unsuccessful self-regulation were rhythmic disorder,stress,mental fatigue and flow lost.(2) In experiment 1,the thought suppression paradigm was conducted. It was found that participants who experienced depletion and exerted self-control in the task performed poorer in visual continuous performance test than participants who didn't have such states.The depletion-group received higher omissions(%) and commissions(%) than the other group.(3) In experiment 2,the thought suppression paradigm was conducted. It was found that depleted participants who exerting self-control in the task performed more poorly in visual contingent continuous performance test than participants who were not depleted.The depleted group received higher omissions(%) and commissions(%) than the group which not depleted. The result suggested that ego-depletion has much influence on impulsive than inattention.(4) In experiment 3,the ego-depletion video clip was conducted.It was found that depleted participants who exerting self-control in the task performed more poorly in visual contingent continuous performance test than participants who were not depleted.The depleted group received higher omissions(%) and commissions(%) than the group which not depleted. The result suggested that ego-depletion has much influence on impulsive than inattention.(5) In experiment 4,the ego-depletion video clip was conducted.It was found that depleted participants who exerting self-control in the task performed more poorly in Stroop performance test than participants who were not depleted.The depleted group received longer mismatch RT than the group which not depleted.The result suggested that ego-depletion has much influence on impulsive than inattention.Overall,the qualitative data and laboratory data were consistent with the theory of self-control as limited resources.The sub-normal performance could attribute to the decline in self-regulation energy. The study indicated that the calm,the rhythm of preparation and training and departure from pressure were the factors contribute to the ability to maintain control.As to unwanted thought or distractions,suppression strategies were not helpful to the maintaining of attention.Also,the energy of handling conflict would be reduced,and then executive function was impaired.