In the second case, performance decreases as the resistance trainer reaches a state of overtraining characterized by the over-stressed body's inability to adapt to the program. Both cases are excellent examples of the peril of paying too much attention to the absolute amount of weight lifted. Whether or not the weight can be lifted becomes irrelevant because the body has already failed to adapt. The Overload Principle and Overtraining. Both cases of exhaustion described above present problems to resistance trainers even though it is tempting to think of exhaustion only in terms of being overtrained.
Exhaustion also occurs when the overload principle is abused.
In other words, muscle will not demonstrate improved performance unless called upon to do so. If the muscle fiber is loaded beyond its adaptive capacity, it will be destroyed. On the other hand, persistent and unexplained poor performance, difficulty in recovering from exercise bouts, and overuse injuries are all characteristics of overtraining. These problems are highly individualized systemic responses and do not subside without adequate rest. Typically, overtraining represents a level of training that exceeds the whole body's capacity to adapt to multiple stresses rather than a specific muscle or muscle fiber's ability to adapt to a load, as is seen in the abuses of the overload principle.