Changes

While [[Overtraining Syndrome ]] involves training stress, the real cause is lack of recovery. Often, [[Overtraining Syndrome ]] involves other stresses that combine with training stress so that recovery is impaired. The non-training stresses add to the training stresses to compound the overall impact. However, these non-training stresses also impair the quality of rest, further reducing recovery. Stresses can be categorized as physiological, psychological and social in origin<ref name="OTAdjust"/>. This makes [[Overtraining Syndrome ]] harder to diagnose and treat as the sporting community tends to ignore the non-biological aspects of training, and often stigmatizes psychosocial issues<ref name="OTAdjust"/>. Some causes are also symptoms and are highlighted in <span style='color:\#FF0000'>red</span>. These causes are particularly problematic as they tend to be self-reinforcing, creating a positive feedback cycle. * '''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]].

* <span style='color:\#FF0000'>Poor performance</span><span style='color:\#FF0000'> </span>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.

* '''Glycogen depletion'''<ref name="OTEcssPos"/><ref name="OTDepression"/>. It is much harder to train when our muscles a depleted of [[Glycogen]], and some authorities suspect the chronic glycogen depletion adds to the overall stresses and could be a trigger for [[Overtraining Syndrome]].* <span style='color:\#FF0000'>Poor diet</span><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 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.

<ref name="OTAdjust">Taylor & Francis Online :: Adjustment Disorder: a new way of conceptualizing the overtraining syndrome Overtraining Syndrome - International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology - Volume 2, Issue 2 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17509840903110962 </ref>