Focus exhaustion

[allethre]

Please help me out. I've been back, playing on and off for about 6 months now since my 6 years hiatus. I usually play atleast 2-5 hours per week on average.

Every time I play seriously, like hyper-focused on a match play, I get extremely tired. I was exhausted after the match. I play offensively close the table and pushes agressively with backspin on the table.

Does this have something to do with conditioning? I am healthy and doesn't have any existing disease but I gained weight compared to what am I 6 years ago.

Any advices are really appreciated. Thank you guys.

 

[Attitude]

That could be caused by so many factors.
Your nutrition could be insufficient. If you miss several markers, your brain could lack the tools it needs to stay focused. Keeping your focus still up then, requires way more energy and is more exhausting.

Your sleep could be a factor too. If i dont sleep enough, my brain gets foggy way faster and it needs way more energy to stay focused.

Maybe you arent used to being focused for a longer time. It is like a muscle that isnt used to heavier load and therefore gets tired way earlier.

And for your experience there could be several conditions, that could at least enhance this experience if not cause it. I would try to cancel out the options above, keep on training and if the situation stays the same, i would consult a doc.

 

[lodro]

Make sure you do breathe properly and strongly, you need the oxygen in your brain.
Keep hydrated, force yourself to drink regularly.Doesn't have to be anything fancy but make sure you get enough water and replace the electrolytes.
I make up a drink from water- sugar- salt and lemon juice. I also used to ad some soda (baking powder) but had to stop that.

 

[JeffM]

I think that is normal to feel exhausted after a big match/session, especially if you put so much focus on every ball (hyperfocused).

Do you do aggressive open ups or mostly pushes?

Also would depend on your age as well for teh weight gain.

 

[blahness]

I usually play about 3 balls worse (for eg in a match that will normally go to 10-10 I will now go to 7-10) when I'm sick or after a long day at work because of this. The brain has a limited capacity to focus after all.

I reckon just chill and accept it as part of TT life. No need to hyperfocus like crazy during casual matches, this is a hobby which doesn't earn you $$$ after all.

 

[Jslick89]

Make sure you do breathe properly and strongly, you need the oxygen in your brain.
Keep hydrated, force yourself to drink regularly.Doesn't have to be anything fancy but make sure you get enough water and replace the electrolytes.
I make up a drink from water- sugar- salt and lemon juice. I also used to ad some soda (baking powder) but had to stop that.

To echo what others have said, breathing is so important. I have a friend who will become drenched in sweat when he forgets to breath properly.

Besides that, basic conditioning exercises should help with your overall table tennis fitness. If you are physically able, ladder/cone drills are a great way to do this. I've got a tournament coming up in 24 days. I'm going to do ladder drills heavy for the next 2 weeks, then taper off the last week to recover and be ready for the tournament.

 

[SleepyMaster]

Please help me out. I've been back, playing on and off for about 6 months now since my 6 years hiatus. I usually play atleast 2-5 hours per week on average.

Every time I play seriously, like hyper-focused on a match play, I get extremely tired. I was exhausted after the match. I play offensively close the table and pushes agressively with backspin on the table.

Does this have something to do with conditioning? I am healthy and doesn't have any existing disease but I gained weight compared to what am I 6 years ago.

Any advices are really appreciated. Thank you guys.

the best way to understand what exact number of stress that you body goes trough the training - is to using heart rate monitor. It shows how fit you are, how much nervous and you are during the play etc. Other than that we can just guessing the amount of exhaustion that you going trough

 

[WingTT]

You see how those well trained and conditioned top pro players sweat during their matches? Yes, table tennis when played at a high level is very tiring. As others have mentioned, stay hydrated possibly with sports drinks like how the pros do it during the breaks between games. Make sure you plan your meal so that you don't eat too close or too far from your session and eat the right foods for energy. Age and especially weight makes a big difference. You won't realize how much lugging extra pounds around will tire you out unless you lose it.

 

[lodro]

You won't realize how much lugging extra pounds around will tire you out unless you lose it.

Ahh, but my excuse is that my extra weight forces me to work harder. 😁
I have seen athletes wearing vests with lead-weights in small pockets,
I don't need that, my spare- tyre around my belly covers for that 😂

 

[allethre]

Your sleep could be a factor too. If i dont sleep enough, my brain gets foggy way faster and it needs way more energy to stay focused.

Maybe you arent used to being focused for a longer time. It is like a muscle that isnt used to heavier load and therefore gets tired way earlier.

Make sure you do breathe properly and strongly, you need the oxygen in your brain.

Besides that, basic conditioning exercises should help with your overall table tennis fitness. If you are physically able, ladder/cone drills are a great way to do this.

Thank you so much for these insights. I agree with all of the people in this thread.

I work night shift so I think that also affects my focus and endurance during plays. Another thing is sometimes I forgot to breathe during exchanges, which a coach pointed out to me already. I really have to pay attention to that too.

Thanks again everyone. I love how helpful you all are in this community.