Athletes with overtraining syndrome often have imbalanced hormones—like low testosterone and high estrogen—which can make them feel tired and perform worse. These hormone changes are part of the body’s reaction to too much training without enough recovery, but they aren’t enough on their own to diagnose the condition.
Evidence from Studies
No evidence studies found yet.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Definitively characterize the magnitude and consistency of hormonal changes across athletes with clinically confirmed OTS.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies enrolling elite endurance athletes (male and female, aged 18–35) diagnosed with OTS using standardized criteria (e.g., IOC consensus), measuring baseline and serial levels of testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, and TSH, compared to matched controls, with data synthesized using random-effects models.
Establish temporal association between hormonal changes and development of OTS.
A 2-year prospective cohort study of 300 elite endurance runners (150 male, 150 female), monitoring monthly hormone panels, training load, nutrition, and mood states, with OTS diagnosed by blinded experts using consensus criteria, to assess which hormonal patterns precede clinical diagnosis.
Identify prevalence of hormonal imbalances in athletes with suspected OTS at a single time point.
A cross-sectional study of 200 elite athletes (100 with OTS symptoms, 100 controls), measuring serum testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, and TSH, adjusting for age, sex, training volume, and menstrual status, to compare mean hormone levels between groups.
Provide theoretical framework and hypothesis generation about hormonal mechanisms in OTS.
A narrative review by endocrinology and sports medicine experts summarizing existing literature on hormonal profiles in overtrained athletes, highlighting patterns and proposing diagnostic algorithms.