Relación entre carga cognitiva y rendimiento deportivo en seleccionados universitarios de voleibol

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between cognitive load and volleyball serve performance in university-level players. A quasi-experimental design was employed, evaluating the same group of participants in a pretest-posttest framework. Twenty-six university-level volleyball players participated (mean age: 20.73 ± 1.95 years; 57.69% male). Participants performed five volleyball serves, with performance assessed using the modified observation scale from the International Volleyball Federation. The task was then repeated under conditions requiring targeted serves to different court zones. In both conditions, cognitive load was measured using the NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), while stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue were assessed via a visual analog scale. The results were compared between the two conditions using the t-Student test, and these scores were correlated with the change in performance using Spearman's Rho correlation test.  Significant differences were found in the NASA-TLX physical subscale (baseline: 6.62 ± 4.53 vs. experimental: 8.39 ± 5.92; p = 0.012; zero effect size) and mental fatigue (baseline: 33.08 [10.63–53.75] vs. experimental: 46.29 [26.50–66.25]; p = 0.005; small effect size). A negative correlation was observed between performance change and NASA-TLX mental demand change (r = -0.520; p = 0.006). Increased cognitive load led to higher physical exertion and mental fatigue in volleyball players during serves. Furthermore, greater mental demand was negatively associated with serve performance.