Overtraining vs. Under-fueling
Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): Shared Pathways, Symptoms and Complexities
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Overtraining symptoms may mostly stem from under-fueling, not training load
Most athletes and coaches blame fatigue and burnout on doing too much, but this suggests not eating enough is the primary driver in 86% of cases.
Practical Takeaways
If you're feeling burned out or 'overtrained,' evaluate your calorie and carb intake before cutting training volume.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Overtraining symptoms may mostly stem from under-fueling, not training load
Most athletes and coaches blame fatigue and burnout on doing too much, but this suggests not eating enough is the primary driver in 86% of cases.
Practical Takeaways
If you're feeling burned out or 'overtrained,' evaluate your calorie and carb intake before cutting training volume.
Publication
Journal
Sports Medicine
Year
2021
Authors
T. Stellingwerff, I. Heikura, R. Meeusen, S. Bermon, S. Seiler, M. Mountjoy, L. Burke
Related Content
Claims (4)
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.
Not eating enough calories or carbs can lead to serious health and performance problems in athletes, like burnout and hormonal issues.
Most studies show that when athletes push too hard and start showing signs of overtraining, they're often not eating enough calories or carbs to fuel their bodies.
Not eating enough calories can make you feel like you're overtraining, but you can still overtrain even if you're eating enough food and protein.