WHAT IS OVERTRAINING SYNDROME?
Overtraining syndrome is a long-lasting drop in exercise performance that can develop when training and other stress exceed a person’s ability to recover.
WHAT IT MEANS
Overtraining syndrome may involve ongoing fatigue, mood changes and difficulty returning to usual performance. It is different from feeling tired after one hard workout or a demanding week.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
A continuing loss of performance despite reducing training deserves attention; it does not prove that someone has overtraining syndrome.
IMPORTANT LIMITS
There is no single test that confirms it. A healthcare professional needs to rule out other causes of persistent fatigue and poor performance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is soreness a sign of overtraining syndrome?
Soreness alone does not establish the diagnosis.