Overtraining

Definition

Overtraining is a general term for the situation that can occur over time when the intensity and/or the duration of exercise someone does is more than what the individual can adequately recover from with respect to improved fitness. In other words, the person exercises so much—either the amount of time or the effort expended—that the muscles are unable to recover and actually lose strength rather than gaining it. Overuse of the muscles, or overtraining, can occur whenever sufficient time is not allowed between training sessions for the exercised muscles to recover.

Description

Exercising is a great way to maintain a good fitness level. It strengthens the muscles, joints, and bones of the body. However, too much exercising can sometimes be detrimental to fitness, conditioning, and strength. A good balance between exercise and rest is essential for overall health.

KEY TERMS
Anemia—
An abnormal condition of the blood in which too few red blood cells are produced or adequate red blood cells are produced but they are lacking in hemoglobin.
Asthma—
A disease of the respiratory system that is sometimes caused by allergies; its symptoms include coughing, tightness in chest, and difficulty breathing.
Cardiovascular—
Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
Jet lag—
A physiological condition that results when the body's circadian rhythm becomes disoriented by air travel from east to west or west to east across the Earth.
Menstruation—
The approximate monthly discharge of blood and other bodily matter from the womb that occurs in female primates, such as humans, from puberty to menopause.
Overtraining syndrome—
A state that occurs in athletes or people who exercise regularly when the exercise routine is very strenuous or lasts for excessive amounts of time and rest between exercise sessions is not sufficient for muscle recovery.

Demographics

Overtraining can occur to anyone that exercises too much. Its adverse effects can be behavioral, emotional, and/or physical in nature. Overtraining has been found to be especially frequent in bodybuilders because their main goal is to lift heavy weights, often on consecutive days, to build up muscle mass and strength. People who regularly exercise and are exposed to various situations can run the risk of overtraining. Some of these situations include poor nutrition, illness, overworking, mental disorders, menstruation (in women), and jet lag.

Causes and symptoms

Causes

The cause of overtraining is doing too much exercising and not allowing adequate rest for the exercised muscles. Muscles that are not given time to recover degrade over time. Rather than growing, muscles actually decrease in size when overtraining occurs over an extended period.

Poor nutrition and excessive exercising is a bad combination because overworked muscles are not given the necessary nutrients to grow and become stronger. A protein deficiency develops when essential amino acids (those that must be supplied in the diet because it cannot be synthesized internally) in the body are used faster than they can be produced (because of a diet poor in such nutrients).

Diets that restrict calorie intake make overtraining a much higher risk because the body has too few calories to expend (burn). Consequently, the body cannot supply sufficient energy to the muscles so they can properly grow and perform.

A mental condition, such as anxiety, can lead to higher than normal levels of cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It is released in response to stress in the body and can add risk to overtraining.

Other factors that may lead to overtraining are excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs; certain personality types; the external environment; and quality and quantity of sleep.

Symptoms

Overtraining fatigue sets in when the muscles begin to feel sluggish in the middle of a workout. Fatigue may continue after the workout and throughout the week. This sluggishness is usually the result of expending more calories than are taken into the body. It is important to maintain a well-balanced diet and consume energy-sufficient foods before and after the workout.

Symptoms of overtraining may include any or all of the following:

Diagnosis

A doctor is likely to diagnosis overtraining by carefully looking at a patient's past medical history (including a detailed review of exercise programs currently used) and performing a complete physical examination. Heart rate irregularities and weight loss are two key indicators of overtraining, as is the feeling of fatigue.

The medical professional is also likely to perform various tests to eliminate other causes such as asthma or allergies, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, metabolic or hormonal imbalances, muscle diseases, nutritional deficiencies and anemia, psychiatric conditions, and other such medical problems.

Treatment

When overtraining is mild, then resting for several days may be all that is needed to recover. Exercise can also be reduced in its intensity or duration. Alternating heat and cold compresses or other such devices can relieve sore and tired muscles. For instance, massaging the overtrained muscles may help in recovery. Additional sleep each night gives the muscles time to recover. Nutritional supplements (such as multivitamins) can increase nutrient deficiencies within the body. In addition, a nutritious and balanced diet is important during recovery.

If overtraining continues, then the condition may persist with increased fatigue and other, more serious symptoms.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR

Prognosis

Short-term overtraining (STO) involves minor symptoms such as temporary fatigue while exercising. It usually can be resolved with a few days of rest.

Long-term overtraining (LTO) is likely to cause overtraining syndrome. With LTO, more serious symptoms are present, such as fatigue whether exercising or not, mood state disturbances, and muscle stiffness or soreness. LTO is likely to require weeks or months before recovery is complete. Its prognosis is less favorable.

Prevention

Overtraining can be prevented by resting muscles after they are exercised. More time is necessary if the exercise is especially strenuous or extra long in duration. If an intense workout is performed on muscles in the upper body on one day, then make sure the muscles in the lower body are worked out the next day. A day of recovery, such as an easy walk in the park or a relaxing bike ride around the neighborhood, will keep a person from overtraining their body.

If symptoms that lead to overtraining are present, then the amount of exercising should be reduced until the symptoms disappear. Get plenty of rest and make sure nutritious meals are eaten.

Overtraining can be minimized by:

See also Fatigue ; Weight loss .

Resources

BOOKS

Cook, Gregg, and Fatima d'Almeida-Cook. The Gym Survival Guide: Your Road Map to Fearless Fitness. New York: Sterling, 2008.

Plowman, Sharon A., and Denise L. Smith. Exercise Physiology for Health, Fitness, and Performance, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013.

Schoenfeld, Brad. Women's Home Workout Bible. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2010.

Sutton, Amy L, ed. Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, 3rd ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2007.

WEBSITES

Hanes, Tracii. “Risks of Overtraining.” LiveStrong.com . January 28, 2015. http://www.livestrong.com/article/437775-risks-of-overtraining (accessed January 20, 2017).

Mack, Stan. “Signs and Symptoms of Overtraining.” LiveStrong.com . October 25, 2015. http://www.livestrong.com/article/350412-signs-symptoms-of-overtraining (accessed January 20, 2017).

Waehner, Paige. “Are You Exercising Too Much?” Verywell. July 18, 2016. https://www.verywell.com/are-youexercising-too-much-facts-about-overtraining-1229645 (accessed January 20, 2017).

Willey II, J. Warren. “Overtraining Syndrome.” BodyBuildingForYou.com . http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/articles-submit/j-warren-willey/overtraining.html (accessed January 20, 2017).

ORGANIZATIONS

American Council on Exercise, 4851 Paramount Dr., San Diego, CA, 92123, (858) 576-6500, (888) 825-3636, Fax: (858) 576-6564, support@acefitness.org, http://www.fitness.gov .

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, 1150 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 300, Washington, DC, 20036, (202) 454-7521, ayanna@ncppa.org, http://www.ncppa.org .

National Strength and Conditioning Association, 1885 Bob Johnson Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80906, (719) 632-6722, (800) 815-6826, Fax: (719) 632-6367, nsca@nsca.com, https://www.nsca.com .

President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, 1101 Wootton Pkwy., Ste. 560, Rockville, MD, 20852, (240) 276-9567, Fax: (240) 276-9860, fitness@hhs.gov, http://www.presidentschallenge.org .

SHAPE America, 1900 Association Dr., Reston, VA, 20191-1598, (800) 213-7193, Fax: (703) 476-9527, http://www.shapeamerica.org .

William A. Atkins, BB, BS, MBA

  This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.