Scientific Programme

Applied Sports Sciences

IS-AP05 - Investigating the Causes of Fatigue in Endurance Activities: Societal Benefits, Physiological Markers, and Interdisciplinary Approaches

Date: 04.07.2025, Time: 09:30 - 10:45, Session Room: Anfiteatro

Description

Fatigue is a complex phenomenon encompassing both mental and physical dimensions, the inter-relationship between which is not well-understood despite its apparent importance as a protective behavioural cue. Whilst the behavioural consequences of fatigue are easily observed in sport, its effects are ubiquitous across various societal contexts, including work and daily life. This symposium aims to elucidate the societal benefits of investigating fatigue and will consider some of the conceptual and heuristic challenges associated with the kind of interdisciplinary research needed to develop theory and create effective psychological interventions. We draw on our work of measuring perceptions of fatigue (Micklewright et al., 2018) and using psychological strategies to resist slowing down or stopping during endurance activity (Meijen et al., 2023). We also draw on a recent model (Beedie et al., 2022) that differentiates mood as sustained physiological disturbances (like fatigue) from reactionary emotions, suggesting physiological strategies to stabilize mood and psychological skills for managing situational emotional responses.