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Self-Control Training (SCT) and Brain Endurance Training (BET) are novel training modalities designed to enhance physical endurance by building fatigue resiliency. Despite their similarities, it has yet to be examined whether combining SCT and BET provides an additive or redundant/overlapping effect on endurance exercise performance. This study investigated the effects of SCT and combined SCT+BET on performance of a maximal exertion isometric resistance endurance task (high plank) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Participants (N = 33) were randomized to engage in 4 weeks (18 training sessions) of SCT (isometric handgrip; n = 13), SCT+BET (10-minute cognitively demanding task, followed by SCT; n = 10), or no-training/control (n = 10). Isometric endurance performance trials were completed at pre-, mid-, and post-training. One-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models were computed for each of the mid- and post-training trials (controlling for pre-training high-plank performance) to assess effects on performance. Results showed no significant effects of training on high plank performance between groups at mid-training; however, a large and significant effect for SCT compared to control was observed at post-training (p = .044, d = .961). No significant main effects or interaction effects were found for changes in RPE over time (p’s > .05). Findings support the use of SCT as an effective training method for physical endurance performance and suggest that BET may not offer additional performance benefit compared to SCT under the training and testing conditions used in this protocol. Future research should explore potential dose-response effects of SCT on performance and moderators such as trait self-control. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

<p>Self control is affected by self-regulatory strength depletion (Hagger et al., 2010) as well as construal-level mindset (Fujita et al., 2006). However, two conflicting perspectives have emerged predicting differential interactive effects of construals and depletion. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the independent and interactive effects of construal levels and self-control strength in an effortful cycling exercise task. Using a randomized 2 X 2 factorial design, undergraduate participants (<em>N </em>= 67, <em>n</em> = 34 women) completed a baseline cycling task, followed by a self-control depletion manipulation (Stroop task vs. quiet rest; Wallace & Baumeister, 2002), a construal-level manipulation (category vs. exemplar naming task; Fujita et al., 2006), and then a 10-minute strenuous cycling test trial. The results showed no main effects for either self-control strength depletion or construal level (<em>p</em> > .20). However there was a near-significant interaction effect (<em>p </em>= .07) indicating the depleted group outperformed the non-depleted group in the low-construal condition, whereas the opposite effect occurred in the high-construal condition. The results provide novel insights of the effects of self-control strength depletion and construal mindsets on exercise performance and implications for the design of construal level and self-control depletion research.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

Self-control exertion leads to performance decrements during tasks demanding of muscular and cardiovascular systems (Bray et al., 2008; Marcora et al., 2009). Several reviews have also implicated self-control depletion with the psychobiological state of fatigue (Hagger et al., 2010; Van Cutsem et al., 2017). In this state, individuals have also been noted to report higher levels of perceived exertion when exercising at vigorous intensities (MacMahon et al., 2014; Marcora et al., 2009; Wagstaff et al., 2014). The purpose of this study was to investigate physical performance and ratings of perceived exertion during a self-paced maximum distance cycling trial (MDT) following a short bout of mentally-fatiguing cognitive activity (thought-suppression). Recreationally active participants (N = 16, Mage = 20.94) completed one familiarization session and two testing sessions. All visits were separated by ≥ 72-hours. Control and experimental trials were counterbalanced, with either a 6-minute bout of thought-logging (control) or a 6-minute bout of thought-suppression (experimental) being performed prior to each respective MDT. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were solicited from participants across three sensory domains relevant to MDT task performance (Leg-muscle, Respiration, Mental). Thought-suppression was perceived to be significantly more demanding than the control task, which resulted in significantly higher ratings of mental fatigue (p = 0.04, 2 = 0.26). Distance travelled on the MDT was not significantly different following thought suppression, relative to control trials (p = 0.84, 2 = 0.00). Similarly, a repeated-measures ANOVA showed no differences in HR between conditions (p = 0.95, 2 = 0.00). Despite these similarities, ratings of perceived leg-muscle exertion (RPE-L) were significantly higher during the MDT following thought-suppression (p = 0.05, 2 = 0.24). RPE-R (respiration) and RPE-M (mental) ratings also trended towards higher scores following the experimental manipulation, although they did not differ significantly. RPE-L was perceived to be significantly higher than both RPE-R and RPE-M in both conditions on the MDT (ps < 0.05). RPE-M was rated significantly lower than RPE-L and RPE-R during MDTs in both conditions (ps < 0.05). Results indicate that performing a demanding self-control exertion task for a short duration leads to increased feelings of mental fatigue. The observed levels of fatigue were also associated with higher than normal ratings of perceived exertion during cycling tasks of equal demands and performance. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Any thought, emotion or behaviour that an individual modifies in order to better suit their goals occurs as a result of self-control exertion. Research indicates that just like the exertion of muscular strength, exerting self-control impacts subsequent attempts to do so. Using a mentally-demanding task, we induced states of self-control depletion which left individuals feeling mentally-fatigued. As a result of this state, participants needed to exert themselves harder in order to complete a task that was perceived less demanding, when non-fatigued.