The impact of sprint, middle-distance, and long-distance orienteering races on perceived mental fatigue in national level orienteers.

Experiencing mental fatigue (MF) before an orienteering race can lead to a slower completion time. This study aimed to explore the changes in perceived MF, mood and other psychological responses during an orienteering competition. Sixteen national level orienteering athletes (20.8 ± 4.9 years) provided informed consent and completed the online surveys, before and immediately after each race, and 24- and 48-hours post competition (48POST). This study measured MF, physical fatigue, stress, tiredness and motivation using 0-100 Visual Analogue Scale, and the mood was assessed using The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). A moderate to large increase in MF (ES = 0.93 [0.54 to 1.31]), BRUMS fatigue (ES = 0.61 [0.3 to 0.92]), and PF (ES = 1.21 [0.81 to 1.61]) was reported following orienteering races. A small increase in tiredness and BRUMS confusion, and a small decrease in motivation, stress and BRUMS vigour was also reported. There was a delay in recovering from the MF elicited by competition, with a small increase in MF (ES = 0.54 [0.08 to 1.15]) at 48POST compared to the pre-competition value. This study found that orienteers experience MF during competition and have a delayed recovery that can last up to two days after the competition.

International orienteering experts' consensus on the definition, development, cause, impact and methods to reduce mental fatigue in orienteering: A Delphi study.

Orienteering is an outdoor activity wherein participants use a map and compass to locate control points and choose the quickest path to the next control point in a natural environment. Attentional focus, rapid decision-making, and high aerobic fitness may influence orienteering performance. Therefore, this research aimed to seek international orienteering expert consensus regarding the definition, development, causes, influences and methods to reduce mental fatigue (MF) in orienteering based on practical experience. Following ethical approval, a three-round Delphi survey was conducted online with twenty-four orienteering coaches and athletes (or former athletes) from 10 different countries with international orienteering competition experience. The threshold of consensus was ≥ 70% agreement among respondents. The experts agreed that MF exists in daily life and orienteering with a substantial negative effect on their conscious decision-making performance and psychological responses. The experts disagreed that the form of MF that athletes experienced in orienteering training are similar to the competition. However, there was no agreement that MF would impact endurance and high-speed running performance during orienteering. This research refines the definition of MF and summarises the distinctions in what causes MF in orienteering training and competition, implying that MF should be addressed separately.