Nathalie André

Nathalie André is a Lecturer with Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) at CeRCA/MSHS, affiliated with the University of Poitiers. Her research bridges exercise psychology, cognitive science, and mental health, with particular focus on the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and cognitive function, mental fatigue mechanisms, and strategies for improving exercise adherence across diverse populations.

Her primary research interests include:

• Exercise psychology and physical activity adherence mechanisms
• Mental fatigue and cognitive performance dynamics
• Self-control and willpower frameworks
• Behavior change models in health contexts
• Chronic exhaustion and mental health connections
• Cognition-exercise relationship in aging populations

Dr. André's recent publications reveal a sophisticated research program examining mental fatigue from multiple angles—its impact on athletic performance, physiological markers, resistance mechanisms in trained individuals, and interventions like brain endurance training. Her work extends to clinical applications, including exercise interventions for cancer cachexia and understanding the psychological dimensions of chronic fatigue. She frequently collaborates with prominent researchers including Michel Audiffren and Roy Baumeister, producing interdisciplinary work that connects psychological theory with practical applications in sports, rehabilitation, and clinical settings.

Her scientific contributions demonstrate:

• Pioneering research on mental fatigue's psychophysiological markers
• Development of brain endurance training protocols
• Critical examinations of ego depletion theory
• Behavioral interventions for exercise adherence in vulnerable populations
• Integration of meaning-centered approaches in mental health
• Rigorous methodological contributions to psychometrics

Dr. André has established productive research lines on barriers to physical activity in older adults and cancer survivors, cognitive strategies for maintaining exercise routines, and the moderating effects of genetic factors on exercise-cognition relationships. Her methodological expertise spans psychometric validation, behavioral intervention design, and psychophysiological measurement techniques, making significant contributions to both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in exercise psychology.