Teen athletes can be more suspectible to the effects of stress, hunger, injury and sleep-deprivation, as their bodies are still growing and developing. Heat exhaustion, poor diet and problems sleeping can all leave a teenager feeling fatigued during physical exertion. Although exhaustion could be due to an underlying medical condition, it's best to first rule out the more common causes of fatigue.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body fails to regulate its temperature, leading to overheating. Heat exhaustion most often afflicts athletes in the summer months, particularly in hot climates with high humidity. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include fatigue, dizziness, rapid heart beat, muscle cramps, headache and nausea. Heat exhaustion can turn into a life-threatening condition, heat stroke, if left untreated. Teenage athletes exhibiting symptoms of heat exhaustion should rest, remove unnecessary clothing, sit in a cool, shaded area and drink water or sports drinks.
Poor Diet
The body uses carbohydrates as a primary source of energy. Digestive enzymes break down carbs into simple sugars and release the molecules into the blood stream, converting the food or drink to energy. Simple carbohydrates provide a quick burst of energy, while complex carbohydrates are stored for later use. Athletes rely on carbohydrates to maintain energy. If an adolescent is exhibiting signs of fatigue while exercising or playing sports, he might not be eating enough carbs.
Sleep Deprivation
Lack of sleep can affect both physical and mental performance. Although the average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep a night to function without difficulty, teens need at least nine hours of sleep to feel rested. Sleep needs aren't one-size-fits-all; some athletes might require more sleep than others to feel rested and function at their best. If an athlete is only running on five or six hours of sleep a day, exhaustion is inevitable, particularly due to the amount of physical stress put on the body while sleep-deprived.
Dehydration
Failing to consume enough water throughout the day and during exercise can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, light-headedness, headache and thirst. Athletes should drink water before physical activity, and drink a liquid containing electrolytes during and after exercise.
