What happens when you train too much?
Beyond physical exhaustion: Understanding overtraining syndrome through the lens of molecular mechanisms and clinical manifestation
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Overtraining causes chronic inflammation similar to disease states
Most assume exercise is always anti-inflammatory, but this review shows excessive training elevates pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β—molecules linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Practical Takeaways
Monitor mood, sleep, and resting heart rate daily to catch early signs of overtraining.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Overtraining causes chronic inflammation similar to disease states
Most assume exercise is always anti-inflammatory, but this review shows excessive training elevates pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β—molecules linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Practical Takeaways
Monitor mood, sleep, and resting heart rate daily to catch early signs of overtraining.
Publication
Journal
Sports Medicine and Health Science
Year
2025
Authors
Ondrej Fiala, Michaela Hanzlova, L. Borska, Z. Fiala, D. Holmannová
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Claims (2)
When athletes push too hard, their performance might dip at first — but if it's 'functional' overreaching, they bounce back stronger. If it's 'non-functional,' they stay weak even after resting.
When athletes or soldiers train too much, their bodies can go into overtraining mode, which causes hidden inflammation that weakens the immune system, makes muscles shrink, messes with blood sugar, and makes them more likely to get sick.