Overtraining syndrome

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Overtraining syndrome (OTS) occurs in athletes when amount or intensity of training exceeds the body's ability to recover. It is common in nearly every sport and fitness activity.[citation needed]

The terms overtraining syndrome, burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome are often incorrectly used.[1][2]

Ashley Crossman writes: "The most common causes of overtraining are quick increases in frequency, intensity, or duration of training sessions, or a combination without the necessary recovery."[3]

Overtraining is the "breaking-down rather than building-up; usually as a result of improper rest intervals between exercise sessions."[4]

Overtraining syndrome vs ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

Overtraining syndrome is marked with prolonged fatigue which can result in it investigations for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or other fatiguing illnesses, as there are no laboratory tests to confirm OTS. However, chronic fatigue syndrome is a distinct neurological disease with symptoms affecting many bodily systems, and should not be confused with idiopathic chronic fatigue, which is long-lasting fatigue with no known cause.[5]

Joe Friel, endurance sports coach, notes some similarity between OTS and symptoms of fatiguing illnesses, including CFS:

"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 generalIf 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."[6]

Media reports of athletes and CFS[edit | edit source]

There have been unverified media reports of athletes diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or CFS who have recovered in a relatively short period of time after rest, supplementation, and diet changes.[7][8][9][10][11] However, scientific studies and case reports on this are lacking. Dietary changes and rest have not been found to be a cure for ME/CFS, and no dietary changes or supplements have been found to be an effective treatment in clinical trials.[12][13] In ME/CFS, a healthy balanced diet is suggested and nutritional tests should be run prior to diagnosis to identify any alternative causes of fatigue or impairment.[12][14]

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Physiological[edit | edit source]

Psychological[edit | edit source]

  • Decreased motivation to workout
  • Difficulty concentrating during work, school, or training
  • Fear of competition
  • Mood changes, especially feelings of sadness and depression or clinical depression[16]

Differences from CFS[edit | edit source]

Overtraining syndrome includes a much narrower group of symptoms, can only be caused by repeatedly overexercising, and unlike CFS, is not either neurological in nature or a common cause of significant and long term disability affecting all aspects of life.

ME/CFS symptoms not present in overtraining syndrome[edit | edit source]

  • post-exertional malaise, which is not limited to exercise, is the hallmark symptom of ME/CFS, and may be delayed by up to 3 days
  • chronic pain is common, and may include joint pain or nerve pain rather than just muscle pain
  • the minimum level of impairment for diagnosis is typically only being able to function at 50% of their previous level in everyday day, although this depends on the diagnostic criteria used
  • some patients are housebound or bedbound, and 25% of ME/CFS patients are wheelchair users
  • typically functioning is lower than that patients multiple sclerosis and class 3 heart failure
  • co-morbidities frequently occur, including POTS, IBS, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and migraines
  • digestive symptoms, which are persistent and may include nausea or vomiting, even at rest, new onset irritable bowel syndrome or gluten sensitivity; in particularly severe cases some patients require a feeding tube
  • endocrine symptoms may include thyroid problems, inability to regulate body temperature, and unexplained weight loss or gain
  • sensory overload symptoms, including photophobia, hyperacusis, touch sensitivity and even allodynia are fairly common in ME/CFS
  • exercise or over-exertion causes noticeable cognitive dysfunction
  • concentration is significantly impaired, and too much mental activity causes post-exertional malaise and an increase in symptoms such as pain, muscle weakness, dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms; some patients with ME/CFS are unable to watch TV due to severe cognitive dysfunction
  • Very severe ME/CFS can be life-threatening and a number of people have died
  • Prognosis is very poor, most people do not fully recover from ME/CFS; in overtraining syndrome most recover within weeks or months[1]
  • ME/CFS can occur in sedentary people
  • ME/CFS is a female predominant disease
  • ME/CFS is most commonly caused by a virus or bacterial disease, although severe injury and other events are also common
  • overtraining, inadequate food intake and poor nutrition are not among the many pre-onset triggers or risk factors commonly reported; nutritional deficiencies must be ruled out as a possible cause before diagnosis
  • significant brain and spinal cord changes have been found in patients with ME/CFS, including in autopsies of patients who have died from the illness
  • paralysis is reported in some patients
  • symptoms may not be diagnosed unless present for at least 6 months, in the most commonly used diagnostic criteria[13][12][14][5][17] (Full text)

Overtraining signs symptoms not present in ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

  • mood changes - these are not a diagnostic symptom,[12] and not any more common than in other chronic illnesses[citation needed]

Syndrome recognition[edit | edit source]

Overtraining syndrome remains poorly defined.[1] In 2012, the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and the American College of Sports Medicine published a joint statement to help clarify OTS.[18]

Notable studies and articles[edit | edit source]

  • 2012, Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the overtraining syndrome: Joint consensus statement of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)[18] (Full text)
  • 2004, Does overtraining exist? An analysis of overreaching and overtraining research.[21] (Abstract)

Athletes experience minor fatigue and acute reductions in performance as a consequence of the normal training process. When the balance between training stress and recovery is disproportionate, it is thought that overreaching and possibly overtraining may develop. However, the majority of research that has been conducted in this area has investigated overreached and not overtrained athletes. Overreaching occurs as a result of intensified training and is often considered a normal outcome for elite athletes due to the relatively short time needed for recovery (approximately 2 weeks) and the possibility of a supercompensatory effect. As the time needed to recover from the overtraining syndrome is considered to be much longer (months to years), it may not be appropriate to compare the two states. It is presently not possible to discern acute fatigue and decreased performance experienced from isolated training sessions, from the states of overreaching and overtraining. This is partially the result of a lack of diagnostic tools, variability of results of research studies, a lack of well controlled studies and individual responses to training.The general lack of research in the area in combination with very few well controlled investigations means that it is very difficult to gain insight into the incidence, markers and possible causes of overtraining. There is currently no evidence aside from anecdotal information to suggest that overreaching precedes overtraining and that symptoms of overtraining are more severe than overreaching. It is indeed possible that the two states show different defining characteristics and the overtraining continuum may be an oversimplification. Critical analysis of relevant research suggests that overreaching and overtraining investigations should be interpreted with caution before recommendations for markers of overreaching and overtraining can be proposed. Systematically controlled and monitored studies are needed to determine if overtraining is distinguishable from overreaching, what the best indicators of these states are and the underlying mechanisms that cause fatigue and performance decrements. The available scientific and anecdotal evidence supports the existence of the overtraining syndrome; however, more research is required to state with certainty that the syndrome exists.[21]

  • 2005, Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon γ secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus[22] (Full Text)

This is the first evidence of a T cell defect in fatigued athletes, and of its reversal following probiotic therapy.[22]

OTS remains a clinical diagnosis with arbitrary definitions per the European College of Sports Science’s position statement. History and, in most situations, limited serologies are helpful. However, much remains to be learned given that most past research has been on athletes with overreaching rather than OTS.[2]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a draft report that highlights the dire need for scientific research that will help find a cure for the millions of people suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) worldwide. The report also highlights the fact that the decades-old UK Royal Society of Medicine’s Oxford criteria for ME/CFS are severely “flawed,” and that continuing to use these criteria may “cause harm.” Further, the NIH report says that the Royal Society definition should “be retired” and replaced with a single case definition agreed to by the ME/CFS community.[23]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lambert, M. I.; Derman, W. E. (January 1, 2000). "The differential diagnosis and clinical approach to the athlete with chronic fatigue". International SportMed Journal. 1 (3). ISSN 1528-3356.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kreher, Jeffrey; Schwartz, Jennifer B. (2012). "Overtraining Syndrome: A practical guide". SAGE Journals. 4 (2): 128–138. doi:10.1177/1941738111434406. PMC 3435910. PMID 23016079. Retrieved February 28, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  3. Crossman, Ashley (April 3, 2012). "What Is Overtraining?". ACTIVE.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  4. Baldwin, Dave R. (2002). Exercise Motivational Triggers: Be Your Own Personal Trainer. books.google.com: iUniverse. p. 58. ISBN 9780595216031. Over-training: breaking-down rather than buidling-up; usually as a result of improper rest intervals between exercise sessions.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "ICD-10 Version:2016". icd.who.int. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  6. Friel, Joe (October 9, 2011). "The Tired Athlete: Understanding Fatigue and Recovery". www.trainingpeaks.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  7. Tanner, Claudia (July 13, 2018). "Marathon runner housebound after developing ME claims diet change gave him his life back". inews.co.uk. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  8. Broadbent, Rick (December 2, 2017). "Muslim fighter with ME who left an arranged marriage to win world title". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  9. Video Mark 6:18 - Committee reviews 'potentially harmful and old fashioned' chronic fatigue treatments - by Andy Park and Clare O'Halloran - ABC 7.30
  10. "Committee reviews 'potentially harmful and old fashioned' chronic fatigue treatments". abc.net.au. July 18, 2018. LAYNE BEACHLEY, FMR WORLD CHAMPION SURFER: Well, at first I just thought it was a natural part of being fatigued and being an extreme athlete. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  11. Broadbent, Rick (February 27, 2019). "Nathan Douglas: London 2012 was the darkest period of my life". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved February 28, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Carruthers, BM; van de Sande, MI; De Meirleir, KL; Klimas, NG; Broderick, G; Mitchell, T; Staines, D; Powles, ACP; Speight, N; Vallings, R; Bateman, L; Bell, DS; Carlo-Stella, N; Chia, J; Darragh, A; Gerken, A; Jo, D; Lewis, DP; Light, AR; Light, KC; Marshall-Gradisnik, S; McLaren-Howard, J; Mena, I; Miwa, K; Murovska, M; Stevens, SR (2012), Myalgic encephalomyelitis: Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners (PDF), ISBN 978-0-9739335-3-6
  13. 13.0 13.1 Carruthers, Bruce M.; Jain, Anil Kumar; De Meirleir, Kenny L.; Peterson, Daniel L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Lerner, A. Martin; Bested, Alison C.; Flor-Henry, Pierre; Joshi, Pradip; Powles, A C Peter; Sherkey, Jeffrey A.; van de Sande, Marjorie I. (2003), "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols" (PDF), Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 11 (2): 7-115, doi:10.1300/J092v11n01_02
  14. 14.0 14.1 Fukuda, K.; Straus, S. E.; Hickie, I.; Sharpe, M. C.; Dobbins, J. G.; Komaroff, A. (December 15, 1994). "The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group" (PDF). Annals of Internal Medicine. American College of Physicians. 121 (12): 953–959. ISSN 0003-4819. PMID 7978722.
  15. Maffetone, Dr Phil (May 6, 2015). "The overtraining syndrome". Dr. Phil Maffetone. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Kinucan, Paige; Kravitz, Len (2007). "Overtraining: Undermining Success". ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. 11 (4): 8–12. Retrieved February 28, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  17. Chu, Lily; Valencia, Ian J.; Garvert, Donn W.; Montoya, Jose G. (January 14, 2019). "Onset patterns and course of myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome". Frontiers in Pediatrics. doi:10.3389/fped.2019.00012.
  18. 18.0 18.1 Meeusen, Romain; Duclos, Martine; Foster, Carl; Fry, Andrew; Gleeson, Michael; Nieman, David; Raglin, John; Rietjens, Gerard; Steinacker, Jürgen (January 1, 2013). "Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the overtraining syndrome: Joint consensus statement of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)". European Journal of Sport Science. 13 (1): 1–24. doi:10.1080/17461391.2012.730061. ISSN 1746-1391.
  19. "Overtraining: its effects on performance and psychological state | Exercise Medicine". www.exercisemed.org. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  20. Kreider, Richard; Fry, Andrew; O'Toole, Mary Louise, eds. (1998). Overtraining in sport. psycnet.apa.org. Champaign, IL, US: Human Kinetics. Retrieved February 28, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  21. 21.0 21.1 Halson, Shona L.; Jeukendrup, Asker E. (2004). "Does overtraining exist? An analysis of overreaching and overtraining research". Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.). 34 (14): 967–981. doi:10.2165/00007256-200434140-00003. ISSN 0112-1642. PMID 15571428.
  22. 22.0 22.1 Henriksson, A.; Fricker, P.; Pyne, D.; Pang, G.; D’Este, C.; Dorrington, M.; Callister, R.; Cox, A.; Gleeson, M. (April 1, 2006). "Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon γ secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus". British Journal of Sports Medicine. 40 (4): 351–354. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.024364. ISSN 0306-3674. PMC 2577537. PMID 16556792.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Swift, Penny (January 16, 2015). "US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped". The Argus Report. Retrieved February 28, 2019.