Athlete fatigue results from multiple physical and mental factors. Physical fatigue develops from sustained intense activity, inadequate rest periods, or poor nutritional intake. For example, marathon runners experience fatigue when muscle glycogen stores become depleted during extended endurance efforts, causing measurable decreases in performance capacity and available energy. Mental fatigue significantly impacts athletic performance. Psychological stressors including competitive pressure, anxiety, and reduced motivation generate fatigue symptoms. A competitive swimmer, for instance, may experience mental exhaustion from performance expectations, which subsequently…
