What is Overtraining?

Overtraining is typically the case when athletes train extensively without adequate rest time. In addition to this, all athletes are different and respond differently to certain training routines and stressors. Mental fatigue can also compound the stresses of training, as training and everyday activities involve a functional mind. If you do play many sports and train on top of that, you may encountour overtraining. Realize; however, that overtraining is difficult to diagnose.

If overtraining is a concern to you, you may want to familiarize yourself with some of the symptoms:

tired
drained
lack of energy
general aches and pains
sudden drop in performance
insomnia
headaches
increased susceptibility to colds
decrease in training capacity and intensity
moodiness and irritability
depression
loss of appetite
increase in injury susceptibility


If you are experiencing a wide range of these symptoms, you can further investigate this issue by doing am orthostatic heart rate test. Here is a link that will guide you through the test. http://www.brianmac.co.uk/hrtest.htm

You are the best person to gauge how your body feels. If you do feel these symptoms and are overtraining, you are best to either reduce the amount of exercise, or stop it completely for a few days to allow your body to rest.