Physical taxation

Excesses of strenuous physical activity damage the essential qì of the body. Isolated incidences of overexertion cause fatigue and aching pain. Persistent overexertion causes emaciation, lassitude of spirit and physical fatigue, shortness of breath, low voice, faint breathing, spontaneous sweating, sloppy stool, and reduced food intake, which reflect spleen-stomach qì vacuity and general vacuity. Hence, the Plain Questions (素问 sù wèn) states, taxation causes wear on qì. In some cases, overexertion can give rise to heat effusion.