Overtraining in child athletes

Abstract

Overtraining is a condition in which an athletes adaptive mechanisms are stressed to the point of failure, symptoms can range from a decline in physical performance, loss of appetite to illness or depression, or may present themselves as just general tiredness or fatigue. Excessive stress is the cause of overtraining and is usually caused by a sudden increase in training volume or duration with shorter times for recovery in between these training bouts. However, other stresses, apart from training, exist in an athletes life, and these may also be responsible for causing or increasing the likelihood of an athlete becoming overtrained. Particularly relevant to the child athlete are academic and parental pressures. This review aims to examine the causes of overtraining, specifically those most related to the young athlete. It will then identify the symptoms associated with overtraining, it is important to realise that research has not been able to identify symptoms of overtraining that are specific to children, therefore the symptoms presented in this review are also relevant to adult athletes. Tools suitable for identifying and monitoring overtraining in child athletes will then be presented. The review will conclude with methods used for relieving and preventing overtraining in the child athlete. Overtraining should not be confused with over-use injuries. The issue of bone and muscle damage are currently not in the domain of overtraining as it is currently perceived in paediatric exercise and sport science. Aspects relating to overtraining alone are discussed in the following article.