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Effect of acute modafinil ingestion on cognitive and physical performance following mental exertion
Author(s) -
Rattray Ben,
Martin Kristy,
Hewitt Alex,
Cooper Gabrielle,
McDonald Warren
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2700
Subject(s) - modafinil , placebo , heart rate , crossover study , exertion , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , psychology , mental fatigue , cognition , elementary cognitive task , medicine , physical therapy , anesthesia , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , blood pressure , clinical psychology , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract Objective Modafinil is a psychostimulant that has been shown to enhance cognitive and physical performance. Given its long half‐life, it may provide operational advantages if it can improve tolerance to the deleterious effects of prolonged mental exertion. Methods Physically active males ( n = 13, 23 ± 4 years, peak oxygen consumption 45.3 ± 3.2 ml kg −1 min −1 ) took part in a placebo controlled, double‐blind randomised crossover study to investigate if modafinil could improve cognitive and physical performance following a prolonged period of mental exertion. Results Overall modafinil improved performance on a task of executive function over time ( p = .023; η 2 = 0.376) but did not improve subsequent physical endurance performance (mean difference 2.3 ± 11.5%, p = .50), despite improvement in 10 out of the 13 participants. Task demand was reported as lower with modafinil, although perceptual measures of fatigue and motivation did not consistently improve. Heart rate during submaximal exercise was higher (134 ± 11 vs. 119 ± 14 bpm, p < .001), and sleep was reduced (5.5 ± 1.4 vs. 7.5 ± 1.4 hr, p < .001) and less efficient (64 ± 13 vs. 83 ± 9%, p < .001) compared with placebo. Conclusions Operationally, modafinil may offer advantages given the established longer half‐life than other psychostimulants, despite the variable response. The impact of higher heart rates and disrupted sleep on performance must also be considered.