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Overtraining Syndrome is where a lack of recovery from training stress results in underperformance, often combined with [[Mood State|Mood Disturbances]] such as reduced [[Motivation]], depression and anxiety. The imbalance between training and recovery is exacerbated by [[Training Monotony]] and other life stresses. Overtraining Syndrome is not limited to high volume athletes, but can effect recreational athletes as well.
=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 is reached. Further training beyond this point can produce overtraining.]]
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"/>.
=Overtraining and Overtraining Syndrome=
[[Overtraining]] does not always result in Overtraining Syndrome. A short period of mild [[Overtraining]] can be part of [[Overload]] training, which can result in improved performance. Acute [[Overtraining]] tends to produce [[Too Much Too Soon]] and a lack of active recovery can produce [[Overuse]] injuries. However, Overtraining Syndrome involves a decrease in performance and usually has negative [[Mood State]] changes. Because Overtraining Syndrome is the balance between all stresses (training + life stress) and recovery from all stresses, it can affect even lower volume athletes.
==Overtraining Syndrome Subtypes==
''Main Article [[Overtraining Syndrome Subtypes]]''
Overtraining Syndrome has been categorized into subtypes based on the associated symptoms<ref name="OTAdjust"/>. The subtypes are similar to those seen in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders DSM] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_disorder Adjustment Disorder] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depressive_disorder Major Depression]. These types include "Overtraining with depression", "Overtraining with anxiety", "Overtraining with disturbances of conduct", and others. Personally, I believe that Overtraining Syndrome should be called ‘Training Related Major Depression’ due to the overwhelming similarity with other types of Major Depression.
=Causes of Overtraining Syndrome=