LJ

Physiology Fatigue: 17 October 2024

Module Overview

We are currently a quarter to a third of the way through the lectures/modules. The course is structured to progressively build up knowledge and skills, moving towards the conclusion of practical content that will enhance our understanding of theoretical concepts.

Upcoming Practical

A Dynamo Battery Practical is scheduled for next week, facilitated by Lawrence, with support from Leslie. This practical session is crucial for hands-on experience, as students will directly engage with the equipment.

  • Note-Taking: It is essential to take comprehensive notes during this session to aid understanding and retention due to the limited amount of equipment available for hands-on experience.

  • Preparation: Key advice includes ensuring that you have a proper setup (tools, workspace) before the practical starts to minimize any potential issues. Additionally, remember to bring your own pen and paper for effective note-taking.

VAT Notes

Notes from the VAT group have now been made accessible on Moodle under the VAT week section. These notes include valuable resources, such as video links, which provide further reference and deeper exploration of the content covered in class.

Practical Sign-Up

An email has been sent regarding the sign-up process for practical sessions during weeks 9, 10, or 11.

  • Mandatory Participation: Note that signing up is mandatory for at least one week of practical sessions to ensure that all students gain essential hands-on experience.

  • Accountability: The sign-up process requires you to include your name for accountability. It’s important to communicate any necessary reasonable accommodations in advance to ensure a supportive learning environment for all participants.

Fatigue Discussion

Fatigue can be defined in various ways; primarily, it refers to an individual's inability to maintain the desired level of physical performance over time. Different aspects contribute to this phenomenon:

  • Physiological Factors: Such as muscle power output, glycogen depletion, and metabolic changes during physical exertion.

  • Psychological Factors: Including motivation, mental fatigue, mood, and previous experiences influencing one’s perception of fatigue.

  • Environmental Influences: Such as temperature, humidity, altitude, and overall conditions impacting performance.

Theoretical Frameworks around Fatigue

  1. Chain of Command Model: This model explains the hierarchy of fatigue origins starting from the cellular level, detailing how fatigue propagates through different systems of the body.

  2. 3D Model: This model describes fatigue as a multifaceted construct influenced by individual characteristics (like fitness level, previous training) and the nature of the task (duration, intensity).

Types of Fatigue

It’s essential to distinguish between terms: fatigue, exhaustion, and weakness, as they inform effective management and recovery strategies:

  • Fatigue: A temporary state that impairs performance but can be reversed with adequate rest and recovery.

  • Exhaustion: A more severe condition that may require longer recovery times and may indicate overtraining or health issues.

  • Weakness: Often associated with underlying health issues or damage to muscles or nervous systems, indicating a need for medical evaluation.

Key Characteristics of Fatigue

Key characteristics may include delayed recovery, cognitive impairment, and the physiological effects that arise with prolonged exercise, which can affect both physical and mental performance.

Muscle Fibre Types and Fatigue Resistance

Muscles are composed of different types of fibers, each exhibiting varying fatigue resistance:

  • Type I Fibres: Extremely fatigue resistant, making them particularly well-suited for endurance activities like long-distance running.

  • Type IIA Fibres (Type IIAR): Have moderate resistance to fatigue, suitable for activities that require both aerobic and anaerobic capacity, such as middle-distance running.

  • Type IIX Fibres: Less resistant to fatigue, predominantly relying on anaerobic processes, making them ideal for high-intensity, short-duration activities like sprinting or weightlifting.

Conclusion

A quiz will follow this module to reinforce learning outcomes, clarify difficult concepts, and solidify understanding. The upcoming lectures will focus key attention on understanding fatigue in relation to various exercise intensities to enhance training methods and improve overall performance.