A study by researchers from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, recently discovered that female athletes who are better fit at the beginning of the season may be more prone to “overreaching” during a team sport as the season progresses than their less-fit counterparts.
The study tested athletes at the beginning of training camp and at the midseason point to examine patterns of hormonal and biomechanical changes associated with overreaching in athletes. The results showed higher levels of IL6, cortisol, prolactin, and creatine kinase through the first half of the season in fitter athletes, which suggests increased muscle breakdown, inflammation, and stress.
These findings suggest that despite visual and other external assessments that suggest otherwise, the most highly trained female athletes may be the ones who are most at risk for overreaching and overtraining. Coaches and athletic trainers need to be aware of this risk and keep an eye out for signs of overtraining.
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