Overtraining is a complex syndrome, a major cause of which is a poorly planned training program. Additional factors include frequent competition, psychological stress, monotonous training, poor diet, and pre-existing medical conditions. The symptoms include fatigue, reduced concentration, apathy, insomnia, irritability, depression, intolerance to training, delayed recovery from training, elevated resting pulse, chronic muscle soreness, weight loss, and loss of appetite. The term overtraining is met with some confusion among coaches and athletes. A planned, systematic and progressive increase in training with the goal of improved performance.
Poor performance is observed in training and competition.
Untreated overreaching that results in chronic decreases in performance and impaired ability to train. Inadequate total caloric intake and inadequate carbohydrate intake are significant nutritional factors in the overtraining syndrome. The caloric intake of an athlete is dependant on social, cultural, psychological, and physiological factors. Suboptimal caloric intake can be both a cause and a consequence of overtraining. The link between suboptimal caloric intake and overtraining is most likely related to the concomitant poor intake of carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals, as discussed below.