Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA) Practice Exam

A common indicator of overtraining in athletes is characterized by fatigue, decreased performance, and prolonged soreness. Overtraining occurs when an athlete trains excessively without adequate recovery, leading to a state where the body does not have enough time to repair and strengthen itself. This can result in a chronic level of fatigue that affects both physical and mental aspects of performance. Decreased performance is evident as the athlete finds it harder to achieve their usual performance levels, and they may experience prolonged muscle soreness due to insufficient recovery periods.

In the context of training, the balance between training intensity, volume, and recovery is crucial. When this balance is off, the symptoms typically associated with overtraining become apparent, prompting the need for rest and a potential reevaluation of the training regimen. This is why fatigue, decreased performance, and prolonged soreness are recognized as key signs that an athlete may be suffering from overtraining.