Topic 9

Question 1

Define fatigue in sports

Answer 1

A reversible, exercise-induced decline in
performance.

Question 2

Outline the different types of
fatigue

Answer 2

Limit to:
* peripheral fatigue—develops rapidly and is caused by reduced muscle cell force
* central (or mental) fatigue—develops during prolonged exercise and is caused by impaired function of the central nervous system.

Question 3

Distinguish between highintensity and endurance
activities

Answer 3

High-intensity exercise involves a vigorous bout of intense activity that may last for less than a second, or as long as 1–2 minutes, for example,
some types of interval training, plyometrics. The major sources of energy for this are derived from anaerobic processes. Endurance activities involve prolonged sessions
of low-intensity activity that may last from several minutes to several hours, for example, leisure cycling or jogging. The major sources of energy for endurance activities are aerobic processes.

Question 4

Discuss causes of fatigue in
different types of activity or
exercise

Answer 4

Fatigue is perceived differently by individual athletes and may depend on multiple factors such as age, level of fitness and the specific type of activity or exercise carried out. On a physiological level, the development of peripheral fatigue in high-intensity activities depends on the rate of:

• depletion of energy sources (creatine
  phosphate and ATP)
• increase in levels of the products of exercise such as lactate and hydrogen ions. The physiological causes of peripheral fatigue in endurance activities include:
• depletion of muscle and liver glycogen
  reserves
• reduction in Ca2+ release
• depletion of acetylcholine
• dehydration
• electrolyte loss
• overheating.
  Central (mental) fatigue is a significant factor in many endurance sports caused by failure of neural
  transmission.

Question 5

Discuss recovery from
fatigue after sports

Answer 5

Different aspects of recovery can occur at different
rates, and recovery rate also depends on the
type of activity (high-intensity, team sports or
endurance).
Include:
* excess post-exercise oxygen consumption
(EPOC) for:
– restoration of muscle creatine
phosphate stores
– removal of lactic acid
– replenishment of myoglobin stores
* replacement of muscle and liver glycogen
stores.
Link to option A: Optimizing physiological
performance