Overtraining Syndrome Research Articles

Can clinicians and scientists explain and prevent unexplained underperformance syndrome in elite athletes: an interdisciplinary perspective and 2016 update

The coach and interdisciplinary sports science and medicine team strive to continually progress the athlete's performance year on year. In structuring training programmes, coaches and scientists plan distinct periods of...

Overtraining and Overreaching Syndrome in Athletes

Training for sports is a difficult balance between overload and recovery. If physical stress placed on the athlete is greater than what they can handle, imbalances can occur, leading to nonfunctional overreaching, defined as excessive training without adequate recovery, leading to a decrease in performance. It is a multisystem disorder that causes a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, reduced motivation and concentration, and variation of mood. Nurse practitioner awareness of the causes, signs, and symptoms, as well as prevention, is essential for providers who care for this population in their practices.

Комплекс вправ стрибкової спрямованості для діагностики початкового ступеня перетренованості у спортсменів, які займаються циклічними видами спорту

In the article the author presents data on the method of diagnosis of the initial degree of overtraining syndrome in athletes involved in cyclic sports. Purpose : to develop and assess diagnostic tests to detect early signs of overtraining syndrome in athletes involved in cyclic sports. Material and Methods: developed by the author was applied a set of jumping exercises in 42 athletes with an initial degree of overtraining syndrome in age from 21 to 27 years old male, who were engaged in cyclic kinds of sports (athletics, skiing, cycling, swimming). To control the data obtained were compared with the same athletes before their clinical and functional signs of overtraining syndrome were identified. Results : using the jumping exercises on track kinematometra control and the expectation of landing an athlete with a spade to the side, front and rear walls of the rectangular contour of the rotation at the time of jumping on 90 o and without it as a set of available physical exercise greatly simplifies the identification of the main indicators characterizing changes in the central nervous system in the early stages of overtraining syndrome.

Exhaustive submaximal endurance and resistance exercises induce temporary immunosuppression via physical and oxidative stress.

Regular running and strength training are the best ways to improve aerobic capacity and develop the size of skeletal muscles. However, uncontrolled physical activities can often lead to an undertraining or over-training syndrome. In particular, overtraining causes persistent fatigue and reduces physical performance due to changes in the various physiological and immunological factors. In this study, we gave an exhaustive submaximal endurance or resistance exercise to participants and investigated the relationship between physical stress (cortisol level in blood), oxidative stress (intracellular ROS accumulation), and adaptive immune response (CD4:CD8 ratio).Materials and MethodsTen male volunteers were recruited, and performed a submaximal endurance or resistance exercise with 85% of VO2max or 1-repetition maximum until exhaustion. Blood samples were collected at rest, and at 0 and 30 min after the exercise. Cortisol levels, oxidative stress, and immune cell phenotypes in peripheral blood were evaluated. Cortisol levels in the sera increased after the exhaustive endurance and resistance exercises and such increments were maintained through the recovery. Intra-cellular ROS levels also increased after the exhaustive endurance and resistance exercises. The ratio of CD4+ T cells to CD8+ T cells after each type of submaximal exercise decreased compared with that at the resting stage, and returned to the resting level at 30 min after the exercise. In this study, an exhaustive endurance or a resistance exercise with submaximal intensity caused excessive physical stress, intra-cellular oxidative stress, and post-exercise immunosuppression. This result suggests that excessive physical stress induced temporary immune dysfunction via physical and oxidative stress.

Serotonin and Mood State Changes in Response to a Period of Yoga Training in Well-Trained Wrestlers

ABSTRACT.Overtraining syndrome is accompanied by changes of some neurotransmitters and an increase in mood disturbances. This study aimed to describe changes of plasma levels of serotonin and mood state, after a period of yoga training in well-trained wrestlers. Twenty-four volunteered well-trained wrestlers divided randomly into 2 equal groups: control and experimental. The experimental group completed 8 weeks of yoga training concurrent with wrestling training, 3 sessions per week, with each session lasting 60–75 min. Blood samples were collected from all participants, before and after yoga training. Plasma levels of serotonin and mood state were evaluated using standard commercial ELISA kits and Brunel questionnaire (BRUMS), respectively. Statistical comparisons were made using covariance analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient (p < .05). There is a significant difference between groups in serotonin levels (p = .0001) and mood disturbance scores (p = .0001), although there is no significant relati...

Kynurenine As An Immunological Marker In Athletes Suffering From Overtraining Syndrome (OTS)

Kynurenine As An Immunological Marker In Athletes Suffering From Overtraining Syndrome (OTS)

Effects of &lt;em&gt;Hibiscus sabdariffa&lt;/em&gt; Linn. on insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) to prevent overtraining syndrome

Background: Excessive physical exercises (overtraining) can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). One of the indicators of overtraining syndrome is a decrease in insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). Administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn., a powerful antioxidant, is expected to boost endogenous antioxidants, and thus prevents overtraining. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of H. sabdariffa on IGFBP-3 levels in rats under ”overtraining physical excersice”.Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 male rats (Rattus norvegicus 200-250 grams), randomly allocated into 5 groups: 1) control group (C); 2) control with H. sabdariffa (C-Hib); 3) mild aerobic exercise (A-Ex); 4) overtraining exercise (OT); 5) overtraining exercise with H. Sabdariffa (OT-Hib). H. sabdariffa (400 mg/kg/d, 11 weeks) were administered orally via syringe cannula. IGFBP-3 was measured by using ELISA (Cusa bio kit) and data were analyzed with ANOVA test.Results: Plasma level of IGFBP-3 in the C and OT groups were 17.4 ± 10 mIU/L, the lowest in OT groups (10.7 ± 9.9 mIU/L) and the OT-Hib group had the highest level (31.5 ± 6.2 mIU/L). There was significant difference of the level IGFBP-3 in OT groups with A-Ex groups (10.7 ± 9.9 vs 23.5 ± 9.7 mIU/L; p &lt; 0,05). The significant difference was also observed in the level of IGFBP 3 between C groups and the OT-Hib groups (17.4 ± 10 vs 31.5 ± 6.2; p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Administration of H. sabdariffa can prevent the decrease of IGFBP-3 levels in overtraining rats, indicating its role in preventing overtraining syndrome.

The influence of hypoxic physical activity on cfDNA as a new marker of vascular inflammation.

The phenomenon of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is important for many biomedical disciplines including the field of exercise biochemistry and physiology. It is likely that cfDNA is released into the plasma by apoptosis of endothelial cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and/or by NETosis of immune cells induced by strenuous exercise. Increases of cfDNA are described to be a potential hallmark for the overtraining syndrome, and might be related to aseptic vascular inflammation in athletes. Yet, the relevance of systemic inflammation and cfDNA with endothelial dysfunction in athletes still remains unclear. In this review article, we provide a current overview of exercise-induced cfDNA release to the circulation with special emphasis on its relationship with apoptosis and NETosis and the effect of hypoxic physical activity on vascular inflammation in athletes.

An 8-year longitudinal study of overreaching in 114 elite female Chinese wrestlers.

Successful training involves structured overload but must avoid the combination of excessive overload and inadequate recovery. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of functional overreaching (FOR), nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR), and overtraining syndrome in elite female wrestlers during their normal training and competition schedules and to explore the utility of blood markers for the early detection of overreaching. Classification of FOR, NFOR, and overtraining syndrome was based on the European Congress of Sports Medicine position statement. Case series. China Institute of Sport Science. Over an 8-year period, 114 wrestlers from the women's Asian wrestling team were monitored to help identify if and when they experienced FOR, NFOR, or overtraining syndrome. Creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol were measured throughout the period to identify whether wrestlers were outside the reference intervals (constructed from normal recovery data) during periods of overreaching and not overreaching. Among the 114 athletes, there were 13 (3.6%) instances of FOR, 23 (6.4%) instances of NFOR, and 2 (0.6%) instances of overtraining syndrome. The diagnostic sensitivity for FOR was 38%, 15%, 45%, and 18% for creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity for NFOR was 29%, 33%, 26%, and 35% for creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol, respectively. Specificity was 79%, 88%, 90%, and 82% for creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol, respectively. Post hoc analysis showed no mean differences in creatine kinase (F = 0.5, P = .47), hemoglobin (F = 3.8, P = .052), testosterone (F = 0.2, P = .62), or cortisol (F = 0.04, P = .85) between monitoring periods when wrestlers were and were not diagnosed with FOR and NFOR. Coaches and sports scientists should not use single blood variables as markers of overreaching in elite female wrestlers.

Sleep and athletic performance: the effects of sleep loss on exercise performance, and physiological and cognitive responses to exercise.

Although its true function remains unclear, sleep is considered critical to human physiological and cognitive function. Equally, since sleep loss is a common occurrence prior to competition in athletes, this could significantly impact upon their athletic performance. Much of the previous research has reported that exercise performance is negatively affected following sleep loss; however, conflicting findings mean that the extent, influence, and mechanisms of sleep loss affecting exercise performance remain uncertain. For instance, research indicates some maximal physical efforts and gross motor performances can be maintained. In comparison, the few published studies investigating the effect of sleep loss on performance in athletes report a reduction in sport-specific performance. The effects of sleep loss on physiological responses to exercise also remain equivocal; however, it appears a reduction in sleep quality and quantity could result in an autonomic nervous system imbalance, simulating symptoms of the overtraining syndrome. Additionally, increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines following sleep loss could promote immune system dysfunction. Of further concern, numerous studies investigating the effects of sleep loss on cognitive function report slower and less accurate cognitive performance. Based on this context, this review aims to evaluate the importance and prevalence of sleep in athletes and summarises the effects of sleep loss (restriction and deprivation) on exercise performance, and physiological and cognitive responses to exercise. Given the equivocal understanding of sleep and athletic performance outcomes, further research and consideration is required to obtain a greater knowledge of the interaction between sleep and performance.

INTERACTION AND ADAPTATION OF ENERGY SYSTEMS OF SKELETAL MUSCLES DURING PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Nowadays, the interest to study of changes in processes of energy supply in physical exercise is associated with the use of modern methods of study of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in skeletal muscles, and also assessment of energy interchange in sport medicine for correction of training process and diagnostics of overtraining syndrome with high practical significance. This review covers contemporary notions on interaction and adaptation of energy systems in skeletal muscles during physical exercises of different intensity and duration.

Intestinal Parasitic Diseases in Junior Wrestlers: Imitation of Overtraining Syndrome

ABSTRACTSignificant muscle loading in elite athletes result in considerable changes in their physiological and immune status. There can be variations in the concentrations of serum IgM, IgG and IgA – from significant decrease to elevation, reduction of total serum IgE, an increase in the level of proinflammatory cytokines, etc. (5, 13, 10). Therefore, health status monitoring is of great importance, especially in the diagnosis of diseases. The intense training of an athlete can cause a negative influence on the immune state, raise susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections, induce functional disorders of the hepatobiliary system. Intestinal parasitic diseases (IPD) induce such changes (4, 6). Their timely diagnosis and adequate therapy are of peculiar importance in regions endemic with IPD. Uzbekistan belongs to such a region (1).Object of the study: To characterize the prevalence of intestinal parasites in junior wrestlers with an estimation of clinical manifestations, detect immunological shifts a...

F-30 Free Communication/Poster - Special Populations

Overtraining syndrome is closely related to sport performance and is manifested physiologically and psychologically. Scientific evidence confirms a close relationship between the state of stress-recovery and athletic performance. Furthermore, measurement of stress-recovery state is a valid indicator of the level of physical and mental stress on the athlete. PURPOSE: To determine the stress-recovery state in Costa Rican elite athletes. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty nine athletes from different teams-sports: 189 soccer, 30 basketball and 17 beach soccer (age: 25.4 ± 4.8 years); years of training in the professional league (6.4 ± 4.6), answered the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ- Sport), Spanish version. RESULTS: Conflicts/pressure — no specific stress sport (NS) and fitness/injury — sport-specific stress (SS) were the most relevant stressing agents (2.25 ± 1.02, 1.79 ± 1.03, score UA) respectively. Sleep quality — not specific sport recovery (NSR) was the factor with the smallest contribution in recovery (2.7 ± 0.79, score UA), while self-regulation — specific sport recovery (SR) was the most frequently strategy used (5.27 ± 1.01, score UA). In general, the total recovery scale was higher (4.34 ± 0.72, score UA) than the total stress scale (1.35 ± 0.63, score UA). No significant differences were found for age, years of training in the professional league and the playing position of soccer players (p > 0.05). SS was positively correlated to NS (r = 0.65, p ≤ 0.05) and inversely to NSR (r = - 0.17, p ≤ 0.01). In addition, RS was positively correlated to NSR (r = 0.58, p ≤ 0.01) and inversely to NS (r = -0.21, p ≤ 0.01) and SS (r = -0.31, p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a positive stress-recovery state in elite Costa Rican athletes. Further studies are needed to establish the relationship between the state of stress-recovery and the athlete’s performance.

Neuromuscular diseases: revisiting the "overtraining"

Correspondence to: Marco Orsini – Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias da Reabilitacao – Praca das Nacoes, 34 – CEP: 21041-021 – Bonsucesso (RJ), Brazil – E-mail: orsinimarco@hotmail.com Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders of the anterior spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction and skeletal striated muscles. It is a consensus that exercise programs may optimize the motor and cardiovascular functions, in addition to preventing atrophy by disuse and deconditioning in people with NMD. The literature suggests an individualized, submaximal approach, adapted to the peculiarities of each disorder, with solid and often reanalyzed treatment goals, in order to avoid overtraining. There is the belief that the motor training in patients with NMD may be deleterious and cause the overtraining syndrome, characterized by the installation of symptoms which reflect a non-ideal relationship between effort stress and the tolerance to it, being externalized with the decreased of physical performance, increased muscle injuries and even immunosuppression, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Many NMD of chronic and progressive nature, and often relentless, need to be addressed with a focus on the management of muscle weakness, and not the increase in strength, rule which also applies to the muscles of swallowing and breathing. The grueling training with intense cardio accelerates the degradation of motor performance and death in animal models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; on the other hand, low-intenNeuromuscular diseases: revisiting the “overtraining”

Behavioral addictions: a novel challenge for psychopharmacology

Although addictive syndromes have been traditionally related to substance-use disorders, during the last few decades a novel addictive group, including the so-called "behavioral or no-drug addictions," has been recognized and has attracted increasing attention for its relevant social impact. This group includes pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, TV/Internet/social network/videogame addictions, workaholism, sex and relationship addictions, orthorexia, and overtraining syndrome. Substance and behavioral addictions show similar phenomenological features, such as craving, dependence, tolerance, and abstinence, and perhaps they share a common possible pathophysiology. It is, however, controversial whether all or at least some of them should be considered real disorders or just normal, albeit extreme, behaviors. The aim of this article is to review current data on pharmacological treatment of behavioral addictions. As no specific and validated treatment algorithms are currently available, only an improved knowledge on their psychopathological, clinical, and neurobiological features may have relevant implications for more focused preventive and therapeutic strategies.

КОРРЕКЦИЯ НАРУШЕНИЙ СТОМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО СТАТУСА У ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНЫХ СПОРТСМЕНОВ

&lt;p&gt; Marked reduction of the immunological reactivity of various organs and systems of professional athletes on the background of intense physical activities leads to an increase in the prevalence and intensity of inflammatory diseases of the periodontal tissues. According to the index indicant expressed pathological processes in periodontal tissues frequently found already in the examined younger age groups. Use in therapeutic and prophylactic purposes biologically neutral medication of plant and animal origin during overtraining syndrome accompanied by significant positive changes in the clinical and laboratory manifestations of inflammatory periodontal disease. Statistical analysis of the results showed a significant decrease in data of hygiene and periodontal indices, and quantitative content secretor immunoglobulin in the mixed saliva, and this trend could be observed at all stages of research and almost in all groups of professional athletes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

The Effect of Stress Management on Non-Training Stress in the Overtraining Syndrome

Overtraining Syndrome (OS) is a form of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that affects athletes and avid exercisers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect stress management has on eliminating non-training stress, such as mental or emotional stress, in the OS. Subjects included endurance athletes (N=20, mean age=31.4 years) presenting symptoms of the OS (identified by a questionnaire developed from qualifications for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome paired with accepted characteristics of the OS). Group 1, the stress management (SM) group, met once a week with a counselor who worked with the subjects on managing their stress level using a variety of stress management techniques such as progressive relaxation. Group 2 met once a week as a support group; SM techniques were not introduced All subjects were required to report training, illnesses, progression/regression, and any outside stress. SM group identified the stress management techniques they used in their diaries. The recovery or relapse of the subject over the 2-year period was analyzed. Significant differences were found between the SM and control group at 12 months (p<0.01), 18 months (p<0.01), and 24 months (p<0.001) for training level increase, with the SM group reporting increased rates of recovery. There was no significant difference between groups at 6 months, although the SM group reported fewer stress-related symptoms on the life stress inventory, which was consistent throughout the study. Training load significantly increased in the SM group (p<0.01), when compared with the control group. Non-training stress, paired with everyday training stress may contribute to the development of OS. Management of outside stress, using SM techniques, may reduce stress, and lead to recovery from OS, as indicated by training load increasing.

Overtraining Syndrome in the Athlete

Competitive athletes are pushed routinely to the limits of their physical abilities. When tempered with periods of rest and recovery, a highly demanding training schedule can have tremendous benefits. However when an athlete is pushed too far, overtraining syndrome (OTS) can develop and result in career-ending damage. Overreaching and overtraining are part of the same spectrum that can lead to OTS. The pressure to perform placed on elite athletes is a real danger. Athletes and coaches understand the importance of rest days, but the insidious onset of OTS slowly saps the efficacy of recovery times so the athlete is no longer able to reach previously attainable goals. Identifying markers that correlate with overreaching and overtraining can arrest progression of a potentially negative cycle. We will examine the current literature and discuss possible screening tests and red flags that will assist in preventing OTS from occurring.

Improving Training Condition Assessment in Endurance Cyclists: Effects of Ganoderma lucidum and Ophiocordyceps sinensis Dietary Supplementation.

The main reasons for taking daily dietary supplements are to maintain good health, to improve homeostasis, and to create conditions for reducing the risk of disease. Due to growing market demand, the search for effective, nontoxic, natural compounds with antioxidant and ergogenic properties has increasingly become a matter of interest. This paper describes how a specific combination of fungal supplements can help improve the performance of endurance athletes. We report the effects of a brief 3-month trial of two fungal supplements, Ganoderma lucidum and Cordyceps sinensis (3 capsules of O. sinensis and 2 capsules of G. lucidum per day), in 7 healthy male volunteers, aged between 30 and 40 years, who are all amateur cyclists that participate in “Gran Fondo” cycling races. This trial investigated the effects of fungal supplements on the level of physical fitness of the athletes by monitoring and comparing the following biomarkers just before and after physical exertion: the testosterone/cortisol ratio in the saliva and oxidative stress (DPPH free radical scavenging activity). A decrease of more than 30% in the testosterone/cortisol ratio after race compared to before race was considered as a risk factor for nonfunctional overreaching (NFO) or the overtraining syndrome (OTS). The results show that, after 3 months of supplementation, the testosterone/cortisol ratio changed in a statistically significant manner, thereby protecting the athletes from NFO and OTS. Antioxidant activity was measured by quantifying the scavenging ability of the human serum on the synthetic free radical DPPH. After 3 months of fungal supplementation, the data demonstrate an increased scavenger capacity of free radicals in the athletes' serum after the race, thereby protecting the athletes from oxidative stress.

Managing Mental and Physical Fatigue During a Collegiate Soccer Season

Many athletes deal with the dilemma of a short pre-season followed by a long and grueling competitive season. Unfortunately, this type of schedule puts athletes at greater risk of injury and/or development of overtraining syndrome. In order for athletes to realize optimal performance, it is vital that a coaching staff engages in and understands the rationale (physiological and psychological) behind best coaching practices to ensure that athletes are mentally and physically prepared for competition. This requires managing athletes’ mental and physical fatigue over the duration of a competitive season, which involves applying effective coaching strategies during the off-season and pre-season. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of coaching methods the Kinesiology Department faculty and the coaching staff of the women’s soccer team at California State University Monterey Bay collaborated to measure athlete preparedness for competition on a weekly basis over the duration of a competitive season. The following article is a discussion of coaching methods that are considered an example of best practice and the physiological and psychological rationale behind what we would consider to be effective strategies for managing athletes’ mental and physical fatigue and thereby increasing the chances for an athlete to realize optimal performance.