What causes us to feel tired? Well, the answer to this is multi-faceted. First off, there are many factors that can contribute to the the state of “Fatigue.” I placed quotes around the word “Fatigue,” because from one perspective, it is a state of mind and not the body. Nevertheless, let us not digress to far, and lets continue to name some of the elements that can influence fatigue. The factors are:
1) The Mind – i.e. perception. We can choose to override the signals we are receiving from our body, or we yield to them. Some of these signals are coming peripherally (i.e. from the muscles) and others are manifesting themselves centrally (i.e. within the brain)
2) The Body – accumulation of specific metabolites (i.e. ammonia, CPK, acid, IL-6 and the likes, and cytokines) as well as the decrease of fuel sources (i.e. intramuscular glucose / fat , ATP, BCAA’s) and other important metabolites that are required in the production of energy (i.e. water, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes)
3) The Environment – weather that is either too hot or cold, relative to what the athlete deems to be optimal. In these extreme environmental states, the body reacts accordingly to maintain homeostasis. In doing so, the body draws upon reserves, which under ‘normal’ circumstances, it would not tap into. As a consequence, energy is being diverted just to keep the system functioning for life itself on top of what is it trying to balance from the activity itself.
In any case, fatigue is the consequence of degrees of all three. More over, there is a dominance of one over the other two. In very extreme circumstances, it is all three factors, all at once! A good coach, knows how to recognize and balance these factors in his / her athletes, via the use of appropriate regeneration methods (i.e. contrast baths, saunas, nutrition and the likes) and prescribe mitred doses of various forms of conditioning (i.e. right type of activity, volume, intensity, frequency and density)
