Dangers of overtraining

• Previous fatigue and decreased performance are the most obvious symptoms. In addition, there may be weight loss, changes in appetite, lack of motivation, sleep disorders ...
• Carrying out a progressive training, respecting the breaks and following a proper diet are keys to preventing it.
• If we already suffer from it, a significant reduction in intensity or reaching a complete rest is essential to regain strength.

When does it appear?

When a more or less professional athlete subjects his body to an excess of training, the body may be unable to adapt to that circumstance and consequently discomfort and problems will appear at an organic level.

To establish the existence of an overtraining syndrome, prior to the appearance of the symptoms that we will mention below, there must be fatigue. This great fatigue is usually the result of a few days of excessive training, both in terms of intensity and volume, or both. Along with fatigue there is a clear decrease in performance. It seems that it is evident that for an amateur athlete, the decrease in performance will not have the same importance as for a professional for whom sport is his "modus vivendi". But for the amateur who “takes” time from his schedule to be able to exercise, it can also be an obstacle and a setback on his way to reach his goal.

Other symptoms that can coexist with fatigue and decreased performance are:

• weight loss and / or changes in appetite.
• Depression.
• Demotivation and lack of concentration.
• Anxiety and irritability.
• Easier for the appearance of infections.

How to avoid it?

It is essential to follow a progressive training without excessive loads and well structured. When you want to get an improvement too fast, it is most likely that you will suffer some of these symptoms. A schedule that includes days of higher loads with more moderate days will keep away the possibility of being overtrained. Rest as such should be included in this agenda as the body needs rest to recover properly.

Following one is also part of the recommendations as it must be borne in mind that if a balanced diet is not followed and adapted to the needs of the moment, they can prevent a correct recovery of the muscles involved in the sport in question.

How to treat it?

The rest that we have not given to the body before is essential that it exists now. According to experts in the field, a significant reduction in intensity or reaching a complete rest is essential to regain strength and be able to return in good condition to the routine that we have been forced to momentarily abandon.

All these sensations can appear in practitioners of any sport discipline. At the end of the day, there are many sports in which the demand can be high, not only professionals can suffer it but in the case of amateurs, that obsession that sometimes is part of the need to exercise can lead to a overtraining.