Feeling tired after a workout is a normal response to physical activity, but some people might find they tire quickly during even moderate exercise. Fatigue while exercising can cause frustration and lead to ending a workout earlier than desired. Most cases of fatigue during exercise are preventable through lifestyle changes.
Features
Tiredness during exercise might develop gradually during a workout or come suddenly and without warning. The fatigue could vary from moderate to extreme, and could last for just a few hours to a day or longer, depending on the cause. Some people might experience additional symptoms including pain, especially at specific tender points, sleep disturbances such as restless leg syndrome, sleeping for long periods of time and feeling tired upon awakening, depression and anxiety, sore throat and lymph glands, and muscle aches.
Causes
Chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia cause fatigue as well as pain during exercise. According to MayoClinic.com, chronic fatigue syndrome can cause extreme tiredness during and after physical and mental exercise. Behaviors such as smoking can contribute to lung diseases and conditions that cause tiredness during exercise, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and respiratory infections. Exercising in extreme heat can also cause tiredness or fatigue, and can lead to serious complications such as dehydration and loss of consciousness.
Treatments
According to MayoClinic.com, physicians recommend treatments including cognitive behavior therapy and antidepressants to help reduce tiredness during exercise that results from chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. In addition, the website explains that doctors recommend pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen to help control tiredness during exercise resulting from both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. For cases of tiredness caused by exercising in hot weather, physicians suggest moving to a shaded or air-conditioned area, slowly drinking water or a sports drink and seeking medical treatment if symptoms such as rapid breathing, dizziness or confusion develop.
Prevention
Avoid exercising in hot, cold, dry or smoggy air, as these can exacerbate conditions such as exercise-induced asthma that cause tiredness during exercise, explains the National Library of Medicine website. Warming up before a workout and cooling down after, as well as pacing workouts to avoid overexertion on one day and minimal activity on another can also decrease the risk of getting tired during exercise. Quitting smoking can also help prevent lung diseases and other conditions that cause people to become tired quickly during a workout. Getting enough sleep and reducing stress can also help prevent tiredness during exercise.
