Is part of the mystery surrounding fatigue complicated by context?
Historically, research into possible causes of exercise-induced fatigue has been found to span numerous scientific disciplines, including medicine, psychology, physiology, neurophysiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, and physics. In order to better understand the mechanisms responsible for fatigue, these disciplines have viewed various aspects of fatigue, including the involvement of physiological, physical, biomechanical, and/or psychological factors. This has resulted in a diverse array of interpretations of the term 'fatigue' among the scientific disciplines. For instance, the word 'fatigue' has been used to define a sensation of tiredness, a physical reduction in force, or the failure of a specific physiological system to maintain homeostatic integrity. As sports scientists begin to take on a holistic approach to understanding fatigue, it seems necessary that the 'context' should be highlighted when using the term and questioning the mystery behind it.
Abbiss
Chris R
CR
School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Building 19, Room 127, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia. c.abbiss@ecu.edu.au
Laursen
Paul B
PB
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue; D006801:Humans; D005222:Mental Fatigue; D013178:Sports Medicine / Q000639:trends; D009626:Terminology as Topic