Naturally-occurring fatigue and cardiovascular response to a simple memory challenge

- We assessed cardiovascular responses to a simple memory challenge in a two-minute work period, obtaining reports of fatigue and mental sharpness when participants arrived.
- In the first minute of work, heart rate responses (1) rose with values on an energy-tiredness fatigue index, and (2) fell with values on a measure of mental sharpness.
- Follow-up analysis indicated that fatigue influence was mediated by mental sharpness.

Participants first completed a state affect checklist that included a fatigue (energy-tiredness) index and a measure of mental sharpness. They then were presented a simple memory challenge. In the first minute of the two-minute work period, heart rate responses (1) rose with values on the fatigue index, and (2) fell with values on the measure of mental sharpness. In the second minute of the work period, the responses were unrelated to fatigue index and mental sharpness values. Follow-up analysis indicated mental sharpness mediation of fatigue influence on heart rate in Minute 1. First minute findings add substantively to the body of evidence supporting recent suggestions that fatigue can lead people to try harder and experience stronger cardiovascular responses when confronted with simple challenges. They also support the suggestion that fatigue might exert its influence on cardiovascular responses to a mental challenge by diminishing cognitive clarity, that is, by obscuring thought. Second minute findings are contrary to the fatigue suggestions, but could indicate that memorization was accomplished in the first minute. A practical implication of the first minute results is that real-world fatigue could elevate health risk by enhancing CV responses to mundane daily tasks.