Overtraining

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Training loads have increased by 20% over the past decade. However, there is a limit to the amount of training that an athlete can endure and adapt to. Once this limit has been reached athletes may suffer from overtraining. Overtraining leads to a decrease in physiological and psychological performance and reduced ability to train. Athletes often loose motivation, enthusiasm for training and competitive desire.

Overtraining occurs as a result of ongoing training without adequate recovery. It may be due to training loads that are too high in intensity, sessions occuring too frequently without adequate periods of recovery, or phases of training and competitions that are too long.


 * __ACTIVITY 1__**

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY AN OVERTRAINED ATHLETE?

If overtraining can be caused by training loads that are either too psychologically and physiologically demanding, what signs and symptoms would be noticable?

WHAT DO YOU DO TO TREAT AN OVERTRAINED ATHLETE?

Prevention of opvertraining should focus on 3 approaches: 1. **Effectively using periodisation in the design of long-term training plans.** The body adapts and improves in response to progressive overload, but the body and mind have limits. Incorporating sufficient periods of recovery and schedualing them at the appropriate times of the year helps to prevent athletes experiencing the negative effects of overtraining.


 * 2. Providing sufficient recovery time between training sessions.** Many physical adaptations, such as muscle fibre growth and repair as a result of resistance training often occur in the days immediately following training. If additional training continually disrupts recovery time, less than ideal physical adaptations will occur.


 * 3. Ensuring training volumes and intensities appropriately and progressively overload the athlete.

Other approaches include:

4. Change of environment.

5. Change of routine.

6. Mini breaks.

7. A reduction in pressure.

8. psychological strategies.

9. Changes in diet.

10. Set realistic goals.**