Mixed
Non-functional overreaching (NFOR) is a distinct stage from overtraining syndrome (OTS) characterized by a stagnation or decrease in performance that resolves with sufficient rest, whereas OTS involves prolonged maladaptation and may take months or years to recover.
Distinguish between short-term fatigue (functional overreaching) which leads to improvement, and non-functional overreaching (NFOR) where performance stalls. If you experience NFOR, prioritize rest and recovery for several weeks. If symptoms persist for months despite rest, suspect Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) and seek medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
When this 'intensified training' continues, the athletes can evolve into a state of extreme OR or 'NFOR,' which will lead to a stagnation or decrease in performance that will not resume for several weeks or months. However, eventually, these athletes will be able to fully recover after sufficient rest... A keyword in the recognition of OTS might be 'prolonged maladaptation'... athletes who are in an 'overtrained' state may take months or possibly years to completely recover.
Why this rating
Based on consensus definitions and clinical observation described in the paper.
Source
Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Overtraining Syndrome
Romain Meeusen et al. · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2013
DOI 10.1249/mss.0b013e318279a10a
More from this paper
- Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is diagnosed retrospectively through the exclusion of organic diseases and other stressors, as no single diagnostic marker currently exists to definitively identify it.Good
- Basal (resting) hormone measurements, including cortisol and testosterone/cortisol ratios, are not useful for diagnosing overtraining syndrome or distinguishing between well-adapted and overtrained athletes.Good
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