How do olympians not overtrain

Signs can appear across a person's daily routine. Mood changes can be part of it, too, so somebody starting to feel some symptoms of depression," said Goolsby. One of the data-driven signs of overtraining syndrome could be a change in the basal heart rate. Goolsby said that overtraining syndrome treatment might look different depending on the affected individual and their training routine, since "rest and recovery look different for different athletes.

Typically, physicians or trainers will start by having the athlete take about two weeks off from the activity that led to the overtraining syndrome.

Experts will also run other tests to make sure there's nothing else affecting the athlete. After the rest period is over, the athlete will start training again, but at a "much lower level" than before. Overtraining syndrome can happen more than once, so trainers and physicians will carefully observe the athlete. Goolsby said that athletes can stave off overtraining syndrome by taking care of their health in every part of their life, not just training.

We can't forget all three components: Training, sleep, and nutrition. Her struggle was laid bare. After finishing ninth and failing to qualify for finals in her best event—leaving her with just one chance left to make the Tokyo Olympics, in the 50 free this weekend—she shared the heart-wrenching misery of her season. She talked about the elevated heart rate, the fatigue, the depression, the slow process of figuring what was wrong, the time away from training, and the too-little, too-late attempt to piece her Olympic quest back together.

Simone Manuel reacts after swimming in the Women's m Freestyle prelims during the U. Olympic trials. With tears periodically welling up and voice breaking, the year-old detailed roughly six months dealing with overtraining syndrome, which medical periodicals describe as excessive fatigue, elevated heart rate and depression related to excessive exercise and insufficient rest.

Workouts that seemed to be easier were really hard. A fully healthy Manuel would have been expected to be a key part of at least three and maybe four relays, in addition to competing for medals in the 50 and frees. The rest of the world just saw its hopes of beating the American women improve in several events. On her lowest public moment as a swimmer, she showed real strength. I continued to stay strong in this process, even when there were times I wanted to give up.

She was always going to give it her best shot on the stage that matters most in her sport. In January, the bad days started cropping up. In early March, Manuel and other Stanford swimmers competed in San Antonio in their first major meet since the pandemic shutdown. From there, she went home to Houston to consult with doctors and was diagnosed with OTS. In late March, they recommended three weeks out of the water—something no swimmer wants to hear that close to the Olympics.

What can a concerned parent or coach do to help an overtrained athlete? Look out for these signs in young athletes:. Affected athletes often find that they no longer feel the same joy from participating in a sport that they used to be very passionate about.

Parents should have conversations with their children to determine whether they still enjoy their sport. If you are concerned that you or an athlete you know might have overtraining syndrome, talk to a primary-care physician or seek out a non-operative sports medicine physician. Skip to content Share Icon. Facebook Logo. Link Icon.