Ego depletion and action initiation

Optimal sprint start performance requires the self-control of responses. Therefore, start performance should depend on self-control strength. It was expected that momentary depletion of self-control strength (ego depletion) would slow down the initiation of a sprint start, resulting in impaired reaction times. N = 37 participants performed three sprint starts at T1 and the average reaction times were measured with a foot-pressure release system attached under the starting block (in ms). Next, participants were randomly assigned to a depletion or a non-depletion condition and self-control strength was experimentally manipulated by applying the transcription task. Following the depletion manipulation, participants performed another series of three sprints (T2). The results of a mixed between (ego depletion: yes vs. no) within (T1 vs. T2) ANOVA supported the hypothesis as average reaction times in the depletion condition significantly increased from T1 (M = 0.35, SD = 0.03) to T2 (M = 0.38, SD = 0.04), F(1, 35) = 6.77, p = .01, η2p = .16. Average reaction times in the non-depletion condition did not differ significantly between T1 (M = 0.36, SD = 0.03) and T2 (M = 0.35, SD = 0.04), F(1, 35) = 0.47, p = .50, η2p = .01. In line with the hypothesis, higher levels of self-control strength were associated with quicker movement initiations. Therefore, improving self-control strength may serve as a buffer against the negative effects of ego depletion on performance.

The effect of ego depletion on distractibility

Athletes in a state of ego depletion do not perform up to their capabilities in high pressure situations (e.g., Englert & Bertrams, 2012). We assume that momentarily available self-control strength determines whether individuals in high pressure situations can resist distracting stimuli. In the present study, we applied a between-subjects design, as 31 experienced basketball players were randomly assigned to a depletion group or a non-depletion group. Participants performed 30 free throws while listening to statements representing worrisome thoughts (as frequently experienced in high pressure situations; Oudejans, Kuijpers, Kooijman, & Bakker, 2011) over stereo headphones. Participants were instructed to block out these distracting audio messages and focus on the free throws. We postulated that depleted participants would be more likely to be distracted and would perform worse in the free throw task. The results supported our assumption as depleted participants paid more attention to the distracting stimuli and displayed worse performance in the free throw task. These results indicate that sufficient levels of self-control strength can serve as a buffer against increased distractibility under pressure. Implementing self-control trainings into workout routines may be a useful approach (e.g., Oaten & Cheng, 2007).

Ego depletion and attention regulation under pressure: Is a temporary loss of self-control strength indeed related to impaired attention regulation?

In the present study we investigated whether ego depletion negatively affects attention regulation under pressure in sports by assessing participants’ dart throwing performance and accompanying gaze behavior. According to the strength model of self-control the most important aspect of self-control is attention regulation (Schmeichel & Baumeister, 2010). As higher levels of state anxiety are associated with impaired attention regulation (Nieuwenhuys & Oudejans, 2012) we chose a mixed design with ego depletion (yes vs. no) as between-subjects and anxiety level (high vs. low) as within-subjects factor. A total of 28 right-handed students participated in our study (Mage = 23.4, SDage = 2.5; 10 female; no professional dart experience). Participants performed a perceptual-motor task requiring selective attention, namely, dart throwing. The task was performed while participants were positioned high and low on a climbing wall (i.e., with high and low levels of anxiety). In line with our expectations, a mixed-design ANOVA revealed that depleted participants in the high anxiety condition performed worse (p < .001) and displayed a shorter final fixation on bull’s eye (p < .01) than in the low anxiety condition, demonstrating that when one is depleted attention regulation under pressure cannot be maintained. This is the first study that directly supports the general assumption that ego depletion is a major factor in influencing attention regulation under pressure.

Choking under Pressure und Ego Depletion: Eine Erweiterung der Attentional Control Theory und mögliche Interventionsmaßnahmen

In Leistungssituationen sind Athletinnen und Athleten nicht immer dazu in der Lage, ihr Leistungsoptimum abzurufen. Auch wenn die Befundlage zum Angst-Leistungszusammenhang äußerst heterogen ist, so geht höheres Angsterleben häufig mit Leistungsbeeinträchtigungen einher. In dem vorliegenden Manuskript wird ein Überblick über verschiedene theoretische Modelle zur Erklärung des Angst-Leistungszusammenhangs gegeben. Der Fokus wird dabei auf die Attentional Control Theory gelegt, die besagt, dass unter Druck die Aufmerksamkeitsregulation weniger effizient ausfällt und folglich erhöhte Ablenkbarkeit die Leistung negativ beeinflusst. Es wird weiterhin argumentiert, dass die Selbstkontrollkraft den Angst-Leistungszusammenhang moderiert, so dass nur bei Personen mit temporär erschöpfter Selbstkontrollkraft ein negativer Angst-Leistungszusammenhang erwartet wird, wohingegen Personen mit momentan verfügbarer Selbstkontrollkraft trotz erhöhten Angsterlebens Höchstleistung erbringen können. Abschließend werden offene Fragestellungen thematisiert, alternative Erklärungsansätze vorgestellt sowie praktische Implikationen für die Sportpsychologie abgeleitet.

The influence of ego depletion on sprint start performance in athletes without track and field experience

We tested the assumption that ego depletion would affect the sprint start in a sample of N = 38 athletes without track and field experience in an experiment by applying a mixed between- (depletion vs. non-depletion) within- (T1: before manipulation of ego depletion vs. T2: after manipulation of ego depletion) subjects design. We assumed that ego depletion would increase the possibility for a false start, as regulating the impulse to initiate the sprinting movement too soon before the starting signal requires self-control. In line with our assumption, we found a significant interaction as there was only a significant increase in the number of false starts from T1 to T2 for the depletion group while this was not the case for the non-depletion group. We conclude that ego depletion has a detrimental influence on the sprint start in athletes without track and field experience.

Fragm. lat. VIII 27 - Grammatik (Genera nominum, Pronomen "Ego"), mit eingestreuten Versen

Trägerband: Inc. qu. 984; Vorbesitzer: Dominikanerkloster Frankfurt am Main

Risposte alli Dubii proposti sopra la messa "Panis quem ego dabo" del Palestina : stampata nel quinto libro delle sue messe

[Verf.: Johann IV. König von Portugal]

Construcción y funcionamiento de una red de poder ego-centrada : La correspondencia de Juan Manuel de Rosas con los jueces de paz de la campaña bonaerense (1829-1852)

En este artículo, nos proponemos analizar la construcción y el funcionamiento de una red de poder ego-centrada, la de Juan Manuel de Rosas, durante el período de su primer (1829-1832) y segundo gobierno (1835-1852), a través de la correspondencia que mantuvo con los jueces de paz de la campaña bonaerense a través de sus edecanes. Esto nos pone, fundamentalmente, en contacto con el tema de la comunicación, la circulación de la información y la construcción de un espacio de relación política.

Construcción y funcionamiento de una red de poder ego-centrada : La correspondencia de Juan Manuel de Rosas con los jueces de paz de la campaña bonaerense (1829-1852)

En este artículo, nos proponemos analizar la construcción y el funcionamiento de una red de poder ego-centrada, la de Juan Manuel de Rosas, durante el período de su primer (1829-1832) y segundo gobierno (1835-1852), a través de la correspondencia que mantuvo con los jueces de paz de la campaña bonaerense a través de sus edecanes. Esto nos pone, fundamentalmente, en contacto con el tema de la comunicación, la circulación de la información y la construcción de un espacio de relación política.

Construcción y funcionamiento de una red de poder ego-centrada : La correspondencia de Juan Manuel de Rosas con los jueces de paz de la campaña bonaerense (1829-1852)

En este artículo, nos proponemos analizar la construcción y el funcionamiento de una red de poder ego-centrada, la de Juan Manuel de Rosas, durante el período de su primer (1829-1832) y segundo gobierno (1835-1852), a través de la correspondencia que mantuvo con los jueces de paz de la campaña bonaerense a través de sus edecanes. Esto nos pone, fundamentalmente, en contacto con el tema de la comunicación, la circulación de la información y la construcción de un espacio de relación política.

Tractatus de diuina perfectione, infininate et magnitudine, circa illa verba, Ego sum, qui sum, [et]c. Exodi Capit. 3 : cui annexus est alius Tractatus De perfectione actus essendi creati, circa aliquot quæstiones ... / Authore F. Petro de Ledesma ... ;

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