Overtraining and Overreaching Syndrome in Athletes

• Training for sports is a difficult balance between overload and recovery.
• Nonfunctional overreaching syndrome is defined as excessive training without adequate recovery resulting in decreased performance, lasting days to weeks.
• NP awareness of causes, signs and symptoms is essential for providers who care for the athletic population.

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.