Intensified training periods: when much is to too much?

Abstract

[b]Introduction.[/b] This study has been undertaken in order to examine the usefulness of selected biomarkers as commonly used for monitoring of biological responses to an intensified training period.[b]Material and methods.[/b] The subject was monitored day-by-day throughout an a 2-wk training period, which preceded a pre competition 10-day taper period. Morning blood biochemical indices, perceived sleep quality (SQ), hand-grip strength (H-GS), visuo-attentional motor level (VAM) were assayed and provided to the coach no later than 3 hours after blood sampling and just before the morning training session. Overnight collected urine samples were stored frozen until determination of urinary creatinine, urea and free cortisol.[b]Results. [/b]During the first half of the training period plasma creatine kinase tended to increase, whereas T tended to decrease. In the morning of the 10th day of the period the testosterone rapidly decreased under the lower physiological limit, that was associated with strongly elevated urinary excretion cortisol and urea, deteriorated SQ, H-GS, VAM and reported malaise. Judoka had to stop training. After 2 days of rest period all these psycho-physiological indices returned to the baseline values, judoka felt better and declared his willingness to resume the training.[b]Conclusions.[/b] The results showed usefulness of comprehensive biometric monitoring across an intensified training period. Excessive training with inadequate rest periods resulted in unpredictable, acute psycho-physical indispositions along with changes in the physiological markers similar to those noted during chronic fatigue. Considering very short length of the duration of that syndrome, it does meet criteria of overtraining/overreaching.