Fatigue

Fatigue is the stage in which a person is fully tired because of hard work or exercise. At the same time, it can be a feeling of exhaustion or boredom in which a particular activity does not interest a person any more.

Definitions : Several scholars have defined fatigue. It can be physical as well as psychological. Fatigue dawns with tiredness, but it can also be a condition of disinterest in or indifference to an activity. Offner has defined fatigue as thus : "Fatigue is the reduced capacity of our organism to work properly, that capacity is accompanied with some feeling also which is known as the feeling of fatigue."

Gilbert has defined fatigue thus : "Fatigue is decrease in the capacity to work and decrease in the pleasure taken in the output."

It is clear from the above definitions that fatigue can be physical or mental or both.

Symptoms of Fatigue

It has been seen that physical fatigue is interconnected with mental fatigue.

Symptoms of Physical Fatigue : The symptoms of physical fatigue are as follows :

·         The physical capacity is decreased and he does not feel fresh.

·         He breathes harder and can breathe through the mouth.

·         He can sweat, sometimes the whole body becomes wet in perspiration.

·         He yawns and the face shows the signs of indifference or disinterest.

·         His sitting posture changes to dull.

·         His blood circulation rises.

·         His body temperature rises.

·         His working efficiency goes down suddenly.

·         Excessive fatigue can also cause loss of sense.

Symptoms of Mental Fatigue : These can be as under :

·         His mind becomes dull, so does the body.

·         His power of thinking, reasoning and logic becomes dull.

·         His head becomes heavy and there may be dark before eyes.

·         His face starts to show confusion.

·         He yawns.

·         He loses concentration and focus.

·         He becomes restless.

·         He does not like to work or commits errors.

·         He can even lose his consciousness.

Causes of Fatigue

The causes of fatigue can be divided into individual and environmental causes.

Individual Causes : They may be due to the following factors :

·         Physical infirmity or ill-health.

·         Lower I.Q.

·         Not habitual to do physical or mental work.

·         Emotional instability.

·         Lack of nutritious food.

·         Insufficient sleep.

·         Exhaustion of tissues or other body organs.

·         Lack of energy compounds.

Environmental Causes : They may have the following factors :

·         Improper working hours and timetable.

·         Inappropriate environment, like disturbance, noise, dust, pollution etc.

·         Lack of clean air and ventilation.

·         Improper facilities.

·         Improper training methods.

·         Improper behaviour with sportspeople.

·         Fearful environment.

·         Lack of relaxation techniques.

Remedial Measures for Fatigue

Following are the important measures that can be taken against fatigue :

1.      Measures Related to Family :

·         Provision of adequate and nutritious food.

·         Proper treatment in case of illness.

·         Psychological support.

·         Provision of facilities.

·         Behaviour full of love, affection, sympathy and cooperation.

·         Effort to maintain their emotional balance.

·         Cooperation with sports training facilities.

2.      Measures Related to Trainers/Training Institutions/Schools :

·         Proper working hours and timetable.

·         Provision of proper environment and facilities.

·         Moral and emotional support.

·         Proper and scientific training methods.

·         Behaviour full of love, sympathy and cooperation.

·         Solving any causes giving stress or anxiety.