If you’re an athlete or even just an avid exerciser, you might wonder about the limits to which you can push your body. Maybe in the past you’ve felt exhausted, burnt-out, sore, and/or unmotivated after a hard week of workouts and wondered if maybe you’re overtraining. Well, it’s important to know the difference between overtraining and Overtraining Syndrome (OTS).
Overtraining refers to working out a lot without enough rest or recovery time, leading to symptoms like:
- Soreness, pain, and muscle strain
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite
- Irritably and agitation
- Decline in performance
- Sleep disturbance
- Loss of motivation
- Workouts feeling more challenging
OTS, however, is a complex clinical disorder requiring a medical diagnosis that involves symptoms like:
- Depression
- Bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate)
- Loss of motivation
- Hypertension
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Waking up feeling unrefreshed
- Anorexia
- Weight loss
- Lack of mental concentration
- Heavy, sore, or stiff muscles
As you can see, OTS is significantly more serious. That being said, it’s also much less common, usually only seen in 30 – 40% of elite athletes. So if you’re working out (even intensely) on a lower level than a professional athlete, you probably don’t have to worry about OTS. But go ahead and see a doctor if you’re concerned.
