ületreeningu

ületreeningu is a term used in Estonian-language discussions of sports science to describe a state of excessive training that surpasses the body's capacity to recover. The concept corresponds to what English-language literature calls overtraining or overtraining syndrome (OTS).

Signs typically include persistent fatigue, a noticeable drop in performance, sleep disturbances, mood swings, reduced motivation, frequent infections, and slow recovery after workouts. Hormonal and metabolic changes may occur, but no single test confirms the condition.

Causes involve high training volume and intensity with inadequate rest, rapid progression, insufficient nutrition or hydration, poor sleep, and elevated psychological stress. Athletes with dense competition schedules or poor support are at higher risk.

Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation and monitoring of training load and symptoms over time. It is distinguished from functional overreaching (FOR), which may transiently impair performance but improves with rest, and from nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR).

Prevention and management focus on periodization, planned rest, and gradual return to training after symptoms subside. Strategies include de-loading before key events, optimizing sleep and nutrition, and using subjective well-being measures. If symptoms persist, reduce load and seek medical advice to rule out other conditions.

Terminology and usage: The term ületreeningu appears in Estonian-language texts to denote overtraining. In English-language literature, the standard terms are overtraining, FOR, and OTS. The concept is likewise studied under those labels, with attention to prevention, detection, and staged return to training.