Development of overtraining syndrome: survey of hypotheses

Abstract

This review presents current summarized knowledge on definition, causes, symptoms and evidence of overtraining syndrome in athletes. Analysis of biochemical, physiological, endocrine, neuronal and mycological parameters, each of which is potentially involved in understanding of the metabolic aspects of overtraining syndrome, is required to study the latter. The development of overtraining syndrome is explained by numerous hypotheses with their own strengths and weaknesses. Each theory is centered around a key parameter, disbalance of which can lead to overtraining during the execution of long-term high intensity training loads. Obviously none of isolated markers can be used for diagnostic purposes. A comprehensive approach to explain overtraining syndrome development is provided by a theory of cytokines.

Keywords

• athletes
• sports medicine
• physiology
• exercise training
• biochemistry