Overtraining syndrome is the result of excessive training stresses on the body occurring over a long period of time that cause a decrease in performance capabilities. Possible psychological and physiological symptoms include chronic fatigue, apathy, feelings of depression, mood changes, sleep disturbance, increased heart rate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at a set workload, prolonged recovery from training, excessive weight loss, and immune suppression. Overtraining is a long term problem: it takes a long time to manifest, and is usually present for an extended period of time before recovery begins.

Recovery from overtraining syndrome can take several weeks to several months to improve, and may take even longer depending the on severity of the training state and the stage at which it was discovered. Treatment focuses primarily on reducing training loads and stress, since the body’s reserves are depleted and rest is needed in order to return to normal function. Nutrition, good sleeping habits, and managing stress are all areas that may need extra attention to help you get back on track. However, if after seven months you are still suffering considerably it may be worthwhile to have your doctor do a complete physical to rule out any other possibilities. Most importantly, treatment for overtraining syndrome should not only be physical. Recent studies have found that there is such a thing as a negative addictive relationship to exercise for many people; therefore, your overtraining syndrome may not be cured from simply decreasing the amount of exercise that you are performing, it might require that you spend some time working with a clinical sports psychologist for further assistance.

About the Author: Christine White is a 4th year student at the University of British Columbia in the faculty of Human Kinetics, specializing in Health and Fitness. Christine is currently a BCRPA certified personal trainer and is doing a work experience placement with CitaHealth and assisting with Onlinefit.com.