Overtraining syndrome

Overtraining syndrome occurs in athletes when intensity of training excedes the body's ability to recover.

Reduced concentration of IgA in the saliva and increased shedding of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been associated with intense training in elite athletes, as well as decreased secretion of interferon gamma.

Overtraining syndrome vs ME or CFS
Overtraining syndrome has the symptom of fatigue which is a symptom of some Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Criteria such as Oxford criteria and Fukuda criteria often misdiagnose other conditions that have fatigue and chronic fatigue.

"You’ll be in the early stages of the overtraining syndrome. That will be marked by symptoms like:


 * relentless fatigue
 * poor training performance
 * lethargy
 * low motivation
 * bad attitude about life in general

If you keep pushing it beyond this fatigue you’re likely to experience full-blown overtraining which is similar to having a disease such as mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or Lyme disease. It isn’t pretty. And it may take you weeks if not months to shed the overtraining symptoms."

There have been media reports of athletes with Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or CFS) who have recovered after rest, supplementation, and diet changes.

Syndrome recognition

 * Oct 19, 2011, The Tired Athlete: Understanding Fatigue and Recovery by Joe Friel via Trainingpeaks


 * May 6, 2015, The overtraining syndrome by Dr. Phil Maffetone via MAF


 * Overtraining: Undermining Success? via University of New Mexico


 * Overtraining: its effects on performance and psychological state via Exercise Med


 * Overtraining Can Kill You: The 3 Stages of Overtraining, Part 1 by Andrew Read via Breaking Muscle


 * Overtraining Can Kill You: The 3 Stages of Overtraining, Part 2 by Andrew Read via Breaking Muscle

Notable research

 * 2004, Does overtraining exist? An analysis of overreaching and overtraining research. via PubMed.org


 * 2006, Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon γ secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus via British Journal of Sports Medicine


 * 2012, Overtraining Syndrome - A Practical Guide via Sports Health, SAGE