OVERTRAINING IN SPORT

1278 In order for athletes to maximize performance capacity, athletes must optimally train. However, athletes who train too often too intensely, and/or during periods of increased psychological stress may experience short-term(overreaching) and/or long-term (overtraining) decrements in performance capacity with or without the presence of a number of physiological and psychological signs and symptoms of overwork/overstress. Restoration in performance may often take weeks and/or months despite reductions in training volume/intensity and/or other interventions. The purpose of this current issue is to overview the physiological, biomedical, immunological, nutritional and psychological considerations of overreaching and overtraining in endurance and power/strength athletes. Presentations will describe factors which may predispose athletes to becoming overreached/overtrained; physiological and psychological responses to overreaching/overtraining; potential markers which may assist in the diagnosis of overreaching/overtraining; possible interventions which may reduce the incidence of overreaching and overtraining(i.e., alterations in training, nutritional/pharmacological interventions, etc.); and, current theories of overreaching/overtraining.