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Fatigue, as defined by the Occupational Safety and
Health Service, Department Of Labour, New Zealand, is “the temporary
inability, decrease in ability, or strong disinclination to respond to a
situation, because of previous over activity, either mental or
physical”.
Some causes of fatigue:
Poor food choices: Active people lead busy lifestyles and often
leave little time for shopping and food preparation. Insufficient
carbohydrates and too few fruits and vegetables, along with a heavy
reliance on fatty take-away foods, can quickly lead to fatigue,
decreased immunity and general ill health. Hoping a quick-fix diet will
boost energy and lose weight will only have a bandaid effect and not
address long term nutritional problems.
Chronic dehydration: Many athletes and the general norm of people
are dehydrated without being aware they are. Although you may drink
during the day and during exercise, we often forget that we’re usually
working and exercising in air conditioned buildings, which deplete our
fluid intake.
In winter, tea and coffee can be drunk at the expense of water and other
fluids, and may lead to less effective hydration during the day. High
protein intakes may also contribute to dehydration. Signs to watch for
are general lethargy – which is worse in hot weather – headaches,
nausea and an inability to concentrate. Dry skin, pimples, cramping
during exercise and strongly coloured urine can also be the result of
dehydration.
Drink during training but also for the rest of the day. Remember that
fluid requirements will be higher during hot weather or if there is an
increase in training.
Symptoms of Fatigue