How Much Training Is Too Much?

Abstract

Managing training practices in elite performance domains is recognised to play an important role in preventing musculoskeletal overload, and hence reducing the risk of overuse-related injuries. In international studies spanning four decades, the duration of playing, especially in combination with sudden increases in playing and inadequate rest breaks, remains one of the most common causes of injuries. With musculoskeletal performance in occupational and sports domains, both the work:rest ratio and the acute:chronic workload ratio are considered critical in making an approximate determination in the length of training sessions. However, there are many complex underlying mechanisms that interact with the duration of training and how long a performing artist may safely rehearse or practice. Instead of trying to set rigid timelines, particularly for personal practice/training, recognising mental and physical signs of fatigue may be more useful to inform the performing artist when to stop and rest rather than to persist.