Exploring the Impact of the Perceived Cognitive Load on the Physical Performance in Soccer

The impact of an increased cognitive load (CL) on the players performance, encompassing tactical and technical aspects, is well-documented, yet its impact on the physical performance remains uncertain. Unlike prior research focusing on controlled settings, our study uses GPS wearable sensors and the NASA-TLX questionnaire to assess the physical and cognitive relationship during the national championship final round. The collected data serves a dual purpose: firstly, to quantify the overall perceived CL by averaging the NASA-TLX components and calculating the Z-scores for individual players, and secondly, to investigate the feasibility of constructing cognitive clusters based on positive and negative motivation profiles derived from the questionnaire responses. Data analysis reveals a significant difference between the low and moderate CL clusters in terms of the total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSR), and deceleration (DEC) parameters. Further differences are observed between the moderate and high CL clusters for TD and distance per minute (DPM) metrics. To refine our understanding, the players are systematically categorized into positive-aided and negative-aided motivation categories using the K-means clustering. The resulting clusters exhibit a strong F1 score of 0.8696 closely aligning with the coach evaluations. However, no significant differences are observed between the motivation groups and physical performance. The findings underscore the adverse impact of CL on the soccer players physical performance.