Psychological aspects of overtraining
Overloading and overreaching are common in athletic training and result in feelings of fatigue during current and/or subsequent training sessions. With adequate recovery the body AND MIND will adapt to overloading and overreaching. On the contrary, overtraining is when the body OR MIND is pushed beyond current limits; but the push is too extensive, or there is insufficient rest and recovery for adaptation to occur. Most athletes and coaches recognise when overtraining has occurred and schedule a deliberate recovery period. In some circumstances however, overtraining can go unnoticed. Moreover, some people don’t realise or acknowledge that the mind, as well as the body, needs adequate rest and recovery.
Psychology behind overtraining
Some athletes deliberately overtrain with the false belief that there is a direct linear relationship between the amount and intensity of training and performance benefits. That is, they believe that more training always leads to improved performance. However, many factors influence performance improvements, including recovery.
Lack of understanding around overtraining impacts some people’s decisions to train in this manner, but other factors also impact their ability to identify the intensity of sessions and the impact on the body.
Some athletes are relentlessly driven to find ways to enhance performance at the expense of their physical and mental health. Some influencing factors may be
- Perfectionism traits or tendencies
- Compromised feelings of self-worth
- History of success or of perceived failure
- Fear of failure
- Expectations (real or perceived) from self, coaches, parents, organisations or spectators.
- Pressure to succeed, achieve or give 99% every training session depending on physical and mental state.
Physical and Psychological impacts of overtraining
Overtraining can lead to:
- Injury and illness
- Lack of motivation and enjoyment
- Stress, changes in mood, compromised mental health and changes in sleep quality
- Performance decrements
- Burnout
Recovery
If you suspect an athlete may be overtraining,
- Begin with education about the practical, physical and psychological impacts of overtraining
- It might be useful to suggest some simple changes like ensuring a rest day is incorporated into training, checking nutrition and sleep are intact and encouraging the athlete to enlist support people.
- For consistent and lasting recovery, the athlete will most likely benefit from meeting with a sport psychologist to understand and explore the underlying factors contributing to the behaviour. Please be in contact if you would like to make a referral.
Prevention is better than cure – Education and development of mental skills can help prevent overtraining. Please be in touch if you would like to know more.