About this episode

This episode explores how smartphone use can negatively affect workouts and athletic performance through an analytical lens.

Think a quick scroll between sets is harmless? Think again. In this episode, we step out of the standard fitness cliches and aim a deeply analytical, academic lens at a physical object that is currently sitting less than three feet away from you: your smartphone. By bridging the gap between rigorous laboratory science and real-world gym floor observation, we unmask the true cost of how your phone could be hurting your workouts and your relationship with your body. Research Used for this Episode: Gantois, P., Alix-Fages, C., Alves, R. C., Biot-Bonnet, S., & Aidar, F. J. (2021). Mental fatigue alters performance and perceived exertion in resistance training: A randomized counterbalanced cross-over study. Perceptual and Motor Skills , 128 (5), 2134–2156. Hilpisch, C. (2025). Smartphone use and mental health – findings from a 30-day longitudinal study among young talented volleyball players. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology . Mei, Z., Zhang, Y., Fan, Q., Luo, S., & Luo, S. (2024). The effects of mobile phone dependence on athletic performance and its mechanisms. Frontiers in Psychology , 15 , 1391258. Pageaux, B., Lepers, R., Dietz, K. C., & Marcora…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Darian Parker

Topics covered

• smartphone impact
• workout performance
• mental fatigue
• fitness analysis
• athletic performance

Keywords

• smartphone
• workouts
• mental fatigue
• athletic performance
• fitness
• exercise
• resistance training

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mental fatigue alters performance and perceived exertion in resistance training: A randomized counterbalanced cross-over study, Smartphone use and mental health – findings from a 30-day longitudinal study among young talented volleyball players, The effects of mobile phone dependence on athletic performance and its mechanisms, Response inhibition impairs subsequent self-paced endurance performance, The impact of cell phone texting during aerobic exercise on m

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