Subjective Indicators of Overtraining and Their Relationship to Sport Fitness: A 1-year Observation of Elite Athletes

• Published in: SAGE open 2024-04, Vol.14 (2)
• Main Authors: Jelínek, Martin, Květon, Petr, Burešová, Iva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2158-2440; 2158-2440
• DOI: 10.1177/21582440241252001

This study explores the relationships among indicators of overtraining in adolescent athletes. The research employed widely-accepted tools for subjective overtraining indicator detection, as identified through a systematic review. Two groups of athletes were observed, comprising 13 athletes with bi-weekly assessments and 66 athletes with assessments every 3 months over a one-year period. The study analyzed relationships between variables using repeated measures correlations. A correlation matrix was subjected to principal component analysis. Three fundamental groups of indicators, reflecting negative emotionality (accompanied by sleep problems), self-concept characteristics, and core symptoms of overtraining syndrome captured through subjective sport fitness and vigor. This research emphasizes the intrinsic link between emotional and physical aspects in the lives of elite athletes, shedding light on the complex interplay of overtraining indicators in the context of adolescent developmental period. Plain Language Summary Subjective signs of overtraining in elite athletes: a one-year study This research looked into subjective signs of overtraining in young elite athletes. We examined a set of commonly used self-report methods and tried to identify their mutual relationship to be able to suggest a more efficient way of monitoring young athletes’ health in sport practice. We observed two groups of athletes over a year: one group was checked every two weeks, and the other every three months. The results showed three main groups of indicators: first group of indicators related to negative emotionality, second group connected to self-concept characteristics, and the last one based on vigor and sport fitness.