Fatigue meaning
Fatigue means that state of an organism when it becomes difficult or impossible to continue a physical or mental activity which it has bear performing for some time i.e. the organism is exhausted & requires rest.
In the state of fatigue, the output is diminished or the quality is impaired or both are affected. Thus, it is the condition of lowered efficiency due to expenditure of energy.
What is fatigue ?
“A decrease in the function or efficiency as a result of activity”.
Boring and others: Fatigue is best defined as “Reduction is efficiency resulting from continuous work”.
Drever: Fatigue diminished productivity, efficiency or ability to carry on work because of previous expenditure of energy in doing work”.
What are the causes of fatigue –
Sensation of Weariness:.
If we work continuously, we are unable to concentrate our mood on work & we feel sensation of weariness. This depends on the changes in the internal & physiological aspects of the body.
Decrease in Glycogen levels:.
Glycogen the energy producing material of muscles is consumed during muscular activity for energy production also toxic substances such as lactic acid & CO2 (carbon trioxide) are formed. The decreased glycogen levels & the presence of the toxic substances in the blood stream causes fatigue.
Lack of oxygen:.
During a muscular activity, oxygen from the red blood cells is used. Lack of oxygen leads to fatigue.
Lack of Motivation:.
Motivation is an essential factor affecting the fatigue as well as work production. If learner has motivation he concentrates his interest on work efficiency & does not experience fatigue very easily.
Lack of Adequate / Sound Sleep:.
Affects work production & hence causes fatigue.
Lack of Proper: Ventilation & Adequate light also affects the efficiency of work & causes fatigue.
Illness: When one is taken ill, he gets fatigued very easily. Also increase in blood pressure, respiratory disorders, etc. can cause fatigue.
How many types of fatigue ?
- Mental fatigue
- Physical fatigue
- Sensory fatigue
- Mental Fatigue: It is called bodily or objective fatigue. It causes muscular inefficiency due to continuous physical / muscular work. It is limited to a certain muscular area. E.g. after writing for a long time, the right hand will be tired.
- Sensory Fatigue: Sense organs are connected to muscles via the central nervous system & are impossible to say where the fatigue centers. However, sensory fatigue is seen from the fact that we quickly become sensitive to odors & tastes owing the fatigability of the olfactory & ductile cells.
- Physical Fatigue: Various aspects of physical environment in the school which lead to fatigue are: bad ventilation, bad lighting system, defective seating arrangement, defective furniture, intense heat or cold, noisy surroundings, long periods of work and defective time- table.
Educational Implications of Fatigue-
(How to avoid fatigue in school work)
- Interest should be created by the teacher in the classroom to avoid boredom.
- The lessons & activities must be motivating.
- Appropriate teaching methods should be used. The way subjects are taught, has more effect than the content of the subjects.
- Difficult subjects may be placed early in the day when the students are afresh.
- Extracurricular / co-curricular activities prove refreshing & interesting & hence should be included in the time table. Also change of work is rest.
- Lesson periods for younger children should be shorter.
- Scope for active participation of learner by project method/ heuristic method should be introduced to make school work easy.
- Play way methods should be introduced as work can become tiresome than play.
- Ventilation & lighting in classroom should be appropriate to facilitate learning & avoid fatigue.
- Classroom should be attractive & clean & furniture should be comfortable.
- There should be a time for mid day needs & light refreshments.
- Worry and fear are powerful causes of fatigue, as it hinders fresh flow of blood to brain which leads to fatigue. Therefore the teacher should try to infuse a spirit of confidence and cheerfulness in the child.
- Methods of teaching must correspond to the age levels and mental capacities of children.
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