Overtraining Syndrome – Overtraining Syndrome and Athletes.

I have decided to take a few days off completely this week and maybe the rest of the week to let my body recover. I have not felt right since before the race but post race and the strep bug – my body is wiped out. I did some research about over training and I seriously think that may be the culprit. So I am going to go with that and rest – really rest. A couple of days to a week won’t set me back that far…

Overtraining syndrome frequently occurs in athletes who are training for competition or a specific event and train beyond the body’s ability to recover. Athletes often exercise longer and harder so they can improve. But without adequate rest and recovery, these training regimens can backfire, and actually decrease performance.

Conditioning requires a balance between overload and recovery. Too much overload and/or too little recovery may result in both physical and psychology symptoms of overtraining syndrome.

Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of Overtraining Syndrome

* Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy

* Mild leg soreness, general aches and pains

* Pain in muscles and joints

* Sudden drop in performance

* Insomnia

* Headaches

* Decreased immunity (increased number of colds, and sore throats)

* Decrease in training capacity / intensity

* Moodiness and irritability

* Depression

* Loss of enthusiasm for the sport

* Decreased appetite

* Increased incidence of injuries.

* A compulsive need to exercise

It’s hard to predict overtraining since everyone’s body is different. It is important, however, to vary training through the year and schedule in significant rest time.