Overtraining syndrome (OTS) occurs when training load consistently exceeds the body’s ability to recover. Symptoms include persistent fatigue, declining performance despite continued training, increased injury and illness, mood disturbances (irritability, depression) and elevated resting heart rate. It is distinguished from functional overreaching (short-term fatigue that resolves with rest) by its duration — OTS can take weeks to months to resolve. Prevention through periodisation, deload weeks and monitoring ACWR and HRV is far easier than treating it.
Key points
- Chronic fatigue + performance decline + mood change
- Distinguished from short-term overreaching
- Takes weeks-months to resolve
- Prevention via periodisation and deload weeks
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