According to a study performed by the Indian origin scientists, it was revealed that mental stress can increase physical fatigue.

Ranjana Mehta, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Centre School of Public Health, evaluated the interaction between physical and mental fatigue and brain behaviour. The study showed that when we attempt mental tasks and physical tasks at the same time, we activate specific areas, called prefrontal cortex (PFC), in our brain. This can cause our bodies to become fatigued much sooner than if we were solely participating in a physical task.

According to Mehta, the findings show that there were lower blood oxygen levels in the PFC following combined physical and mental fatigue compared to that of just physical fatigue conditions. Through simultaneous examination of the brain and muscle function it is apparent that when participating in highly cognitive tasks, brain resources are divided which may accelerate the development of physical fatigue.

The findings were published online in Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

By Lizitha