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=Introduction=
[[File:Training Benefit.png|right|thumb|300px|As training load increases there is an initial rapid improvement in fitness. Further increases produce diminishing returns until a plateau optimum training is reached. Further training beyond this point can produce produces less than optimal results until overtrainingis reached when fitness is dramatically diminished.]]
Overtraining Syndrome where a lack of recovery from training stress results in underperformance. Recovery is often impaired by other life stresses and these life stresses add to the stress of training. Overtraining Syndrome is sometimes called 'burnout', 'staleness', 'state of chronic fatigue', or 'unexplained under performance syndrome'<ref name="OTPhysioReview"/>. The 'Overtraining' part of Overtraining Syndrome is somewhat of a misnomer, as generally the causes lie as much with poor recovery and non-training stresses<ref name="OTAdjust"/><ref name="OTPhysioReview"/>. Overtraining Syndrome is estimated to effect 65% of competitive long distance runners at some point<ref name="OTIncidence"/>. While some levels of Overtraining Syndrome can be easily overcome, extreme Overtraining Syndrome can take years to recover from. The elite marathon runner [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_Salazar Alberto Salazar] suffered from Overtraining Syndrome that lasted for 10 years<ref name="OTDepression"/>. Stories from China suggest that Overtraining Syndrome has been an issue for at least 1500 years<ref name="OTChina"/>. While there is a lot of research around Overtraining Syndrome, there is no common or consistent terminology, nor is there a clear standard for the diagnosis of Overtraining Syndrome<ref name="OTEcssPos"/>.