
Muscle fatigue is a symptom that decreases your muscles' ability to perform over time. It can be associated with a state of exhaustion, often following strenuous activity or exercise. Muscle fatigue can also be caused by barriers to or interference with the different stages of muscle contraction. There are two main causes of muscle fatigue: the limitations of a nerve's ability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue) and the reduced ability of the muscle fibre to contract (metabolic fatigue). Muscle weakness is commonly due to lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Muscle fatigue |
| Description | A symptom that decreases your muscles' ability to perform over time |
| Causes | Strenuous activity, exercise, ageing, muscle injury, pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, depression, lack of exercise, nerve's inability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue), reduced ability of the muscle fibre to contract (metabolic fatigue) |
| Symptoms | Muscles feel weaker and tired, muscle starts off normally but tires very quickly and takes longer than normal to recover |
| Treatment | Rest |
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What You'll Learn

Muscle fatigue
Muscle weakness is commonly due to lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy. It can also occur with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Other possible causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Lack of muscle fitness (deconditioning) is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness.
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Muscle weakness
Muscle fatigue is often considered no cause for alarm unless it doesn't improve with rest. However, in more severe cases, it can be an indication of a more serious disorder. If muscle fatigue is paired with other irregular symptoms or persists for several days, it is recommended to schedule a visit with a doctor.
Muscle fatigue can be caused by two main factors: the limitations of a nerve's ability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue) and the reduced ability of muscle fibres to contract (metabolic fatigue). Despite a normal amount of force being generated at the start of an activity, once muscle fatigue sets in, an individual may eventually lose their grip or become unable to lift or push with their arms or legs.
Some muscle tiredness is mainly due to muscle 'fatigability', where the muscle starts off normally but tires very quickly and takes longer than usual to recover. This is often seen in uncommon conditions such as myasthenia gravis and myotonic dystrophy. Lack of muscle fitness (deconditioning) is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness.
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Muscle injury
Muscle fatigue is when muscles that were initially generating a normal amount of force experience a declining ability to generate force. It can be a result of vigorous exercise, but abnormal fatigue may be caused by barriers to or interference with the different stages of muscle contraction. There are two main causes of muscle fatigue: the limitations of a nerve's ability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue) and the reduced ability of the muscle fibre to contract (metabolic fatigue). Muscle fatigue is not the same as muscle weakness, though weakness is an initial symptom. Despite a normal amount of force being generated at the start of activity, once muscle fatigue has set in and progressively worsens, if the individual persists in the exercise they will eventually lose their hand grip, or become unable to lift or push with their arms or legs, or become unable to maintain an isometric position (such as plank).
Muscle weakness is commonly due to lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy. It can also occur with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. There are many other possible causes, which include stroke, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Lack of muscle fitness (deconditioning) is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness.
Muscle fatigue can be associated with a state of exhaustion, often following strenuous activity or exercise. As you exercise, over time your muscles may begin to feel weaker and tired. This is muscle fatigue. But exercise isn't the only thing that can cause muscle fatigue. In more severe cases, muscle fatigue can be an indication of a more serious disorder. Left untreated, this condition can lead to overwork and increase your risk of injury.
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Lack of exercise
Muscle fatigue is a symptom that decreases your muscles' ability to perform over time. It is often associated with exhaustion following strenuous activity or exercise, but it can also be caused by a lack of exercise.
Muscle fatigue is when muscles that were initially generating a normal amount of force experience a declining ability to generate force. It can be a result of vigorous exercise, but abnormal fatigue may be caused by barriers to or interference with the different stages of muscle contraction. There are two main causes of muscle fatigue: the limitations of a nerve's ability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue) and the reduced ability of the muscle fibre to contract (metabolic fatigue).
Muscle weakness is commonly due to a lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury, or pregnancy. It can also occur with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Lack of muscle fitness (deconditioning) is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness.
If you are experiencing muscle fatigue, it is important to rest and allow your muscles to recover. In most cases, muscle fatigue is not a cause for alarm. However, if your fatigue does not improve with rest or is paired with other irregular symptoms, it is important to schedule a visit with your doctor.
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Ageing
Muscle fatigue is a symptom that decreases your muscles' ability to perform over time. It can be associated with a state of exhaustion, often following strenuous activity or exercise. However, exercise isn't the only thing that can cause muscle fatigue. Muscle weakness is commonly due to lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy. It can also occur with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. There are many other possible causes, which include stroke, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Lack of muscle fitness (deconditioning) is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness.
Muscle fatigue decreases the amount of force you use to perform muscle actions. This symptom is often considered no cause for alarm unless your fatigue doesn’t improve with rest. In more severe cases, muscle fatigue can be an indication of a more serious disorder. Left untreated, this condition can lead to overwork and increase your risk of injury.
Muscle fatigue is when muscles that were initially generating a normal amount of force then experience a declining ability to generate force. It can be a result of vigorous exercise, but abnormal fatigue may be caused by barriers to or interference with the different stages of muscle contraction. There are two main causes of muscle fatigue: the limitations of a nerve’s ability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue); and the reduced ability of the muscle fibre to contract (metabolic fatigue).
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Frequently asked questions
Tired muscles are a symptom of muscle fatigue, which is when your muscles' ability to perform decreases over time. This can be caused by strenuous activity or exercise, but can also be caused by other factors such as ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy.
Muscle fatigue is not usually a cause for concern unless it doesn't improve with rest. In more severe cases, it can be an indication of a more serious disorder. If you are concerned, it is best to speak to your doctor.
Muscle fatigue can cause a decrease in the amount of force you can use to perform muscle actions. This can lead to an inability to grip, lift or push with your arms or legs, or maintain an isometric position.
Muscle fatigue can be caused by vigorous exercise, but it can also be caused by barriers to or interference with the different stages of muscle contraction. There are two main causes: the limitations of a nerve's ability to generate a sustained signal (neural fatigue) and the reduced ability of the muscle fibre to contract (metabolic fatigue).











































