Overtraining syndrome
Overtraining syndrome is a condition characterized by a noticeable and persistent decline in athletic performance, often accompanied by mood fluctuations, which does not improve after standard rest periods. It typically results from excessive training overload, stress, and insufficient recovery time. Symptoms can vary widely among individuals, but commonly include chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, increased thirst, headaches, muscle soreness, and changes in mood, among others. Diagnosing overtraining syndrome can be challenging as it lacks a definitive test, and symptoms may overlap with other health issues.
Recovery from overtraining syndrome often requires extended periods of rest, which can last from several weeks to years, making prevention a crucial aspect of athletic training. Strategies to mitigate the risk of developing this syndrome include alternating training intensities, incorporating regular rest days, and managing stress levels. Ongoing research aims to deepen the understanding of overtraining syndrome and its varied effects across different demographics and sports, highlighting the need for more effective diagnostic and preventive measures.
Overtraining syndrome
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Endocrine system, lymphatic system, muscles, nervous system, psychic-emotional system
DEFINITION: Perceptible and lasting decrease in athletic performance, often coupled with mood changes, which does not quickly resolve following a normal period of rest
CAUSES: Training overload, stress, inadequate recovery or rest periods
SYMPTOMS: Impaired performance, loss of coordination, elevated metabolism, body fat loss, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, increased thirst, headaches, nausea, depression, muscle soreness
DURATION: Chronic
TREATMENTS: None; prevention through rest periods, stress management
Causes and Symptoms
To achieve peak athletic performance, increased effort in training, sometimes to the point of overexertion, is required. Initial periods of overexertion followed by a brief decrease in performance are often referred to as overreaching, which is distinguishable from overtraining syndrome by the desired increase in performance following a brief period of rest. Overtraining syndrome appears to develop from an overload of training, psychosocial stressors, and performance without adequate recovery or rest periods.
Diagnosing this syndrome can be complicated because a single diagnostic test or tool has yet to be developed. Symptoms may vary depending on the individual athlete or the sport, so other possible causes for a long-term decrease in performance, such as diet or disease, should be ruled out first. More than eighty-four symptoms or markers have been attributed to overtraining syndrome. Most often noted in diagnosis are impaired performance, variations in heart rate, variations in blood pressure, loss of coordination, elevated basal metabolic rate, decreased body fat, weight loss, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, increased thirst, headaches, nausea, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), hormone changes, excessive production of cytokines, mood changes, depression, increased susceptibility to colds, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, increased aches and pains, and muscle soreness. Sport-specific stress tests conducted to the point of exhaustion may aid in the diagnosis.
Treatment and Therapy
Rest from training, performance, and/or competition is needed. The recovery period may take anywhere from several weeks to years. As the rest period needed to fully recover from overtraining syndrome may vary greatly from one athlete to the next, prevention is seen as the better option. To reduce the risk of developing this condition, a training schedule that alternates high and low training intensities with at least one day of rest is suggested. Other possible preventive measures include managing stress and maintaining a log to track training intensities, diet, and sleep.
Perspective and Prospects
Research on the characteristics of overtraining syndrome, such as how it affects men and women differently or athletes from various sports, continues to offer new insight. More research, especially longitudinal research, is needed to better understand the condition including its diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. A number of physiological tests to aid in detecting overtraining syndrome, including hormone levels, enzyme levels, and blood plasma changes, have been implemented, but none thus far have proved to be a valid measure for diagnosing this condition.
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