Overtraining in athletes might actually show up as low energy from sports, meaning that 'low energy' could just be one way overtraining looks, not a totally different problem.

Low energy levels in athletes might help explain why some get overtraining syndrome, but it's not the only reason — other factors like brain fatigue and body inflammation could also play a role.

If athletes train too much and don’t eat enough, they might be misdiagnosed with overtraining when the real issue is low energy from not fueling properly.

Overtraining isn't just being tired — it's when an athlete's body stops working properly and performance drops for a long time, even after resting, and it's different from regular burnout that goes away in a few weeks.

Some athletes who are told they're just overtrained might actually be low on fuel — their bodies aren't getting enough energy or carbs — which can look like overtraining but is really a different condition called RED-S.

Paralympic athletes who train too much without enough rest or fuel might be more likely to get stress injuries in their bones, especially if they do endurance sports like racing or long-distance events.