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''Main Article [[Causes of Overtraining Syndrome]]''
[[File:Supercompensation-continued-overtraining.png|right|thumb|500px|This chart shows how low life stresses allow for good recovery, resulting in [[Supercompensation]] and improved performance. The same training stresses combined with other life stresses increase the impact of training and reduce the recovery between exercise bouts.]]
While Overtraining Syndrome involves training stress, the real cause is lack of recovery from training and other stresses. Stresses can be categorized as physiological, psychological and social in origin<ref name="OTAdjust"/>. All the causes except [[Training Monotony]] are also symptoms, which make them particularly problematic as they tend to be self-reinforcing, creating a positive feedback cycle. There are several proposed [[Mechanisms of Overtraining Syndrome]], but none have widespread acceptance or scientific support<ref name="OvertraingInSport"/>.
* '''Training monotony'''<ref name="OTEcssPos"/><ref name="OTDepression"/><ref name="OTMonotony"/>. Overtraining Syndrome is an imbalance between training and recovery which can be measured as [[Training Monotony]]. [[Training Monotony]] is simply a measure of similar each workout is. Having a mixture of hard workouts and easy days (or rest days) reduces monotony and allows for good recovery. It seems that athletes can train remarkably hard provided they have sufficient recovery. Therefore, training hard every day or even having easy days that are not sufficiently easy appears to be a primary cause of Overtraining Syndrome.
* '''Poor performance''' due to Overtraining Syndrome can often create additional stress. All too often an athlete responds to Overtraining Syndrome by believing that they are not training hard enough, and so work harder. If an athlete becomes aware of Overtraining Syndrome by failing in competition this can be emotionally devastating<ref name="OTDepression"/>. One study<ref name="OTHighSchool"/> of high school athletes noted the negative sporting experiences can create feelings of inadequacy, helplessness, hopelessness, and lead to major depression.
* '''Infection or illness'''<ref name="OTEcssPos"/><ref name="OTDepression"/>. An illness or infection puts additional stress on the body. If the athlete continues to train with an illness this can dramatically increase the stress of training.
* '''Poor diet'''<ref name="OTEcssPos"/><ref name="OTDepression"/>. Reduced calorie intake also reduces our ability to recover and deal with stress, both training stress and non-training stress. A poor quality diet that is lacking in essential nutrients can also have a negative impact on recovery. To Two particular deficiencies to note are [[Magnesium]]<ref name="OTEcssPos"/> and Iron<ref name="OTEcssPos"/>. A symptom of Overtraining Syndrome is reduced appetite, making the quality of the diet worse.
=Symptoms and Detection=
''Main article: [[Overtraining Syndrome Symptoms]]''
* '''Insomnia or disturbed sleep'''<ref name="OTPhysioReview"/>. Overtraining Syndrome tends to interfere with sleep, which in turn impairs recovery and rest, leading to a positive feedback cycle.
* '''Unexplained [[Weight Loss|weight loss]]'''. Changes in [[Mood State]] can often result in a loss of appetite leading to a drop in body weight.
=Alternative explanation of the symptoms =
There are various other problems that could cause the symptoms of Overtraining Syndrome<ref name="OTEcssPos"/>. Because these problems share the symptoms of Overtraining Syndrome, diagnosis of Overtraining Syndrome typically requires a process of elimination.
* Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis or glandular fever (AKA mononucleosis or simply mono).
* There are reports of successfully treating [[Overtraining Syndrome]] with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noradrenergic_and_specific_serotonergic_antidepressant serotonergic antidepressants]<ref name="OTMentalStigma"/> and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor SSRI antidepressants] <ref name="OTDepression"/>.
=Prevention=
Obviously , prevention is better than cure, but there is currently no known way of preventing Overtraining Syndrome for an athlete who wishes to training optimally.
* Individual variability means there is no clearly defined way of preventing Overtraining Syndrome<ref name="OTPhysioReview"/>. What works for one athlete may cause Overtraining Syndrome in another athlete.
* It's been said that you can't control what you can't measure. Therefore keeping a record of training is a core part of preventing Overtraining Syndrome. See [[The importance of a training log]]. A GPS watch with a [[Heart Rate Monitor]] to accurately record training stresses combined with a training log the provides a long-term record.