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Coach Dave Lett 
MA, MS, CPT, TASAC-F, SAQ

September 4 2022

Overtraining

Overtraining

Overtraining can be seen in all types of sports and training programs and it can affect men and women of all ages. Overtraining can be defined as a training plateau or a decrease in one’s performance which results from the failure to tolerate or adapt to training loads (Stone et al., 1991). When it comes to overtraining, it can take weeks or months for performance at optimal levels, this however is based on the level at which the athlete is overstrained (Haff & Triplett).  When training loads are increased for days or weeks, resulting in a decrease in performance, then with applied rest or detraining performance is increased to higher levels, this has called overreaching (Stone et al., 1991).  When there is a short-term decrements in athlete performance as a result of excessive training is also referred to as functional overreaching (FOR) (Haff & Triplett). In terms of recovery in (FOR) it normally is achieved in days or weeks (Huff & Triplett).  When training intensity remains at high levels without adequate rest or recovery, this is referred to as nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR) (Haff & Triplett). When athletes are at a continued state of NFOR it leads to decrease in performance that can be prolonged for weeks or months (Haff & Triplett).  When athletes are at a continued state of NFOR it leads to overtraining syndrome (OTS).

 Overtraining syndrome (OTS) may affect an athlete for six months or longer, each case is different depending on how overworked or overstrained an athlete is. There are two classifications of overtraining, Monotonous program and Overwork (Stone et al., 1991). The overworked classification can be further broken down into short-term (over-reaching) and chronic overwork type overtraining (Stone et al., 1991).  Monotonous program overtraining can be defined as the loss or plateauing of performance as a result of repetitive program design (Stone et al., 1991). Chronic overwork is a byproduct of long periods of overwork that are continually repeateded and the athlete ceases to respond to training (Stone et al., 1991). There are two types of OTS or chronic overwork, sympathetic and parasympathetic. Sympathetic overtraining syndrome is the increased sympathetic activity at rest and parasympathetic is the increased parasympathetic activity at rest and with exercise (Haff & Triplett). It is thought that sympathetic syndrome proceeds parasympathetic syndrome (Haff & Triplett).

Signs and Symptoms

When looking at some of the of overtraining signs and symptoms here are some indicators; depressed mood, general apathy, decreased self-esteem, emotional instability, impaired performance, restlessness, irritability, disturbed sleep, weight loss, loss of appetite, increased resting heart rate, increased vulnerability to injuries, hormonal changes, and a lack of super-compensation (Kellmann, 2010).  Overall overtraining is connected to negatively effecting the psychological and hormonal markers.

Some psychological factors, can be linked to lack of motivation, anxiety, depression, irritability, lack of self-confidence, fatigue and inability concentrate (Stone et al., 1991). Psychological characteristics have also been linked to changes in endocrine (Haff & Triplett). It has been shown that athletes experience psychological changes before decline in performance.

References

Haff, G. G., & Triplett, N. T. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning 4th Edition. Human Kinetics.

Kellmann, M. (2010). Preventing overtraining in athletes in high-intensity sports and stress/recovery monitoring. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 20, 95–102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01192.x

Stone, M., Keith, R., Kearney, J., Fleck, S., Wilson, G., & Triplett, N. (1991). Overtraining: A Review of the Signs, Symptoms and Possible Causes. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 5(1), 35–35. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287 (1991)005<0035: orators>2.3.co; 2

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