Problematic smartphone usage—defined as an inability to control device use that negatively impacts daily activities and relationships—impairs athletic performance, according to recent research.
Symptoms of problematic phone use include withdrawal, anger, restlessness, or anxiety when the device is unavailable, as documented by Ndayambaje (2025).
An hour of scrolling reduces cardiac adaptability, indicated by lowered heart rate variability, while increasing stress activation and impairing recovery capacity. Elevated cortisol levels and prefrontal cortex impairments follow, researchers found.
Impairments to the prefrontal cortex detrimentally affect information processing and reaction capacity—both crucial for athletic performance.
Researchers Mei et al. (2024) found athletes show decreased decision-making performance for at least 30 minutes after scrolling, with some research suggesting effects last over two hours. The same study reported reduced training load capacity after smartphone use.
A study by Freitas-Junior et al. (2025) found smartphone use before training reduced attack efficiency and vertical jump ability among young male volleyball players.
Mobile phone usage depletes self-regulation, according to Mei and colleagues. Suppressed self-regulation lowered maximum heart rate capacity and mean power outputs while intensifying perceived exertion—meaning the same effort felt harder for athletes.
Scrolling throughout the day disrupts sleep, even when not done directly before bed. Sleep disruption carries numerous consequences for athletic performance.
The extent of these effects depends on factors including the type of content consumed, frequency and duration of consumption, and individual traits such as age, pre-existing mental health conditions, and attachment to platforms or users.
