1
|
Overtraining Syndrome Symptoms and Diagnosis in Athletes: Where Is the Research? A Systematic Review. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022; 17:675-681. [PMID: 35320774 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT To understand overtraining syndrome (OTS), it is important to detail the physiological and psychological changes that occur in athletes. OBJECTIVES To systematically establish and detail the physiological and psychological changes that occur as a result of OTS in athletes. METHODS Databases were searched for studies that were (1) original investigations; (2) English, full-text articles; (3) published in peer-reviewed journals; (4) investigations into adult humans and provided (5) objective evidence that detailed changes in performance from prior to the onset of OTS diagnosis and that performance was suppressed for more than 4 weeks and (6) objective evidence of psychological symptoms. RESULTS Zero studies provided objective evidence of detailed changes in performance from prior to the onset of OTS diagnosis and demonstrated suppressed performance for more than 4 weeks accompanied by changes in psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS All studies failed to provide evidence of changes in performance and mood from "healthy" to an overtrained state with evidence of prolonged suppression of performance. While OTS may be observed in the field, little data is available describing how physiological and psychological symptoms manifest. This stems from vague terminology, difficulties in monitoring for prolonged periods of time, and the need for prospective testing. Real-world settings may facilitate the collection of such data, but the ideal testing battery that can easily be conducted on a regular basis does not yet exist. Consequently, it must be concluded that an evidence base of sufficient scientific quality for understanding OTS in athletes is lacking.
Collapse
|
2
|
Stellingwerff T, Heikura IA, Meeusen R, Bermon S, Seiler S, Mountjoy ML, Burke LM. Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Shared Pathways, Symptoms and Complexities. Sports Med 2021; 51:2251-2280. [PMID: 34181189 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01491-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The symptom similarities between training-overload (with or without an Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) diagnosis) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) are significant, with both initiating from a hypothalamic-pituitary origin, that can be influenced by low carbohydrate (CHO) and energy availability (EA). In this narrative review we wish to showcase that many of the negative outcomes of training-overload (with, or without an OTS diagnosis) may be primarily due to misdiagnosed under-fueling, or RED-S, via low EA and/or low CHO availability. Accordingly, we undertook an analysis of training-overload/OTS type studies that have also collected and analyzed for energy intake (EI), CHO, exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and/or EA. Eighteen of the 21 studies (86%) that met our criteria showed indications of an EA decrease or difference between two cohorts within a given study (n = 14 studies) or CHO availability decrease (n = 4 studies) during the training-overload/OTS period, resulting in both training-overload/OTS and RED-S symptom outcomes compared to control conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate significantly similar symptom overlaps across much of the OTS (n = 57 studies) and RED-S/Female Athlete Triad (n = 88 studies) literature. It is important to note that the prevention of under-recovery is multi-factorial, but many aspects are based around EA and CHO availability. Herein we have demonstrated that OTS and RED-S have many shared pathways, symptoms, and diagnostic complexities. Substantial attention is required to increase the knowledge and awareness of RED-S, and to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of both OTS and RED-S, to allow clinicians to more accurately exclude LEA/RED-S from OTS diagnoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trent Stellingwerff
- Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, 4371 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC, V9E 2C5, Canada.
- Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | - Ida A Heikura
- Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific, 4371 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC, V9E 2C5, Canada
- Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Romain Meeusen
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Bermon
- Université Côte d'Azur, LAMHESS Nice, Nice, France
- World Athletics, Health and Science Department, Monte Carlo, Monaco
| | - Stephen Seiler
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Margo L Mountjoy
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- IOC Medical Commission Games Group, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Louise M Burke
- Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Mary Mackillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|