View source for Too Much Too Soon

Too Much Too Soon (TMTS) is a form of [[Overtraining]] where a new exercise stress is increased too quickly, without giving sufficient time for the body to adjust. 
* TMTS causes injuries such as tendon damage, stress fractures or [[Muscle|muscle]] damage, but without the generalized fatigue, performance degradation and mood changes associated with [[Overtraining Syndrome]].
* TMTS is more likely to impact a well-trained athlete. There is often an expectation from a well-trained athlete that their specialized fitness should translate to an equivalent performance in a new activity. 
* A new sport or a new form of cross training is commonly associated with TMTS. I have a friend who tried an elliptical trainer for the first time and damaged their calf muscles to the point they could not walk properly for a week. This was a particular problem as they had their first half marathon four days after the event and they could not start. 
* Seemingly minor changes to [[Running Form]] can often produce TMTS injuries. The most common example is seen in runners who move from traditional [[Shoes]] to minimal or barefoot running. These injuries can be quite serious, including stress fractures in the foot. This type of change to [[Running Form]] should be treated as if it is a new sport or a new runner, starting from scratch and retraining slowly. 
* TMTS is similar to [[Overuse]], but whereas TMTS is due to a sudden change in exercise stress, [[Overuse]] is a longer term (chronic) problem.