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Overtraining Syndrome (OTS): Chronic fatigue resulting from high-intensity training that leads to sustained poor performance.
Overtraining Syndrome (OTS): Chronic fatigue resulting from high-intensity training that leads to sustained poor performance.
Pathophysiology (Underlying Mechanisms)
Pathophysiology (Underlying Mechanisms)
- HPA Axis Dysfunction: Associated with a decrease in the plasma cortisol response to intense exercise, suggesting dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
- Hormonal Alterations:
- Growth Hormone: Increased pulsatile activity overnight.
- Metabolism: Alterations in glucose metabolism.
- Historical Observations: Early reports linked the condition to red cell hypervolemia and adrenal exhaustion.
- Duration Requirement: By definition, clinical signs must persist even after more than 2 weeks of rest or reduced activity.
- Overreaching: A less severe form of the syndrome where recovery typically occurs within a few days to 2 weeks after decreasing the workload.
- Common Industry Terms: Also known among trainers as “staleness” or “sourness”.
Clinical Findings
Clinical Findings
- Physiological Markers:
- Weight & Appetite: Decreased body weight, weight loss, and inappetence (anorexia).
- Cardiovascular: Tachycardia (increased heart rate) during exercise.
- Laboratory Elevation: Increased plasma levels of muscle enzymes (CK) or gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).
- Physical Stress Signs: Nervousness, muscle tremors, sweating, and diarrhea.
- Behavioral Markers: Consistent and often the earliest marker of the syndrome.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
- Primary Method: Diagnosis is most commonly based on recognizing behavioral changes rather than a single lab test.
- Supporting Evidence: Measurement of CK or GGT can support the diagnosis, but no single physiological marker is definitive.
- Research Frontiers: Biomarkers of skeletal muscle metabolism are being investigated but currently require invasive muscle biopsies.
Treatment & Management
Treatment & Management
- Primary Intervention: Rest is the essential requirement for recovery.
- Training Modification: Adjusting training schedules to ensure adequate recovery time between races or high-intensity events.
- Focus: Addressing persistent clinical signs of stress through changes in overall training strategies.
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