The overtraining syndrome

Abstract

The overtraining syndrome affects mainly endurance athletes. It is a condition of chronic fatigue, underperformance with an increased vulnerability to infection leading to recurrent infections. It is not yet known the exact way in which the stress of hard training and competition leads to the observed spectrum of symptoms. Psychological, endocrynogical, physiological and immunological factors all play a role in the failure to recovery from exercise. Careful monitoring of athletes and their response to training may help prevent the overtraining syndrome. With a very careful exercise regime and regeneration strategies symptoms normally resolve in 6-12 weeks but may continue much longer or recur if athletes return to hard training too soon.