In sports, overtraining symptoms can be subtle. Are you overtraining? These articles will give you recovery training techniques you need by teaching you about adaptogens, hydrotherapy and muscle fatigue… To browse our library of free sports training articles, browse using the categories on the left or use the search box.

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Overtraining

Articles

We'll pay you to ask questions

Got a question about sport? We'll pay you to ask it, and pay more to answer others' questions!

Peak Performance Launches Olympics 2008 Blog

Telling Non-Olympians how to do it too!

The Risks of Overtraining

Intense training - can you have too much of a good thing?

stress & overtraining

Stress & Overtraining : Strategies to ward off overtraining by dealing with stress from all sources

antioxidants

Can antioxidants help reduce post-exercise soreness?

sports nutrition information

Sports nutrition information: From carbo-loading to nutrigenomics: Andrew Hamilton on the evergrowing sophistication of nutritional strategies in sport

sports psychology article

Sports psychology article: Beset by 'Olympic phobia' and lacking in focus and toughness: a sport psychologist's damning verdict on the underperforming GB swim team

osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis: What happens when you hang up your sports kit - for good?

recovery

Recovery: what is the best strategy?

muscle recovery

Muscle recovery: The post-exercise window of opportunity: why we need to start drawing the curtains

hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy: Don't pour cold water over hydrotherapy

exercise stress

Exercise stress: Strategies to boost your natural immunity and keep infection and the effects of exercise stress at bay

underperformance syndrome

Underperformance Syndrome - how youth rugby coaches are using psychology to raise their players' game

fatigue

Persistent fatigue and recurrent infections

Intense training versus volume training

Intense Training Versus Volume Training: A new German study confirms that increasing intensity works better than upswings in volume.

Improving performance

If you want to improve your performance times, turn up the intensity and turn down the volume.

Fat-burning after ovulation

Female athletes fire up fat burning after ovulation, but does it make any difference to weight loss or competitive performance?

recovery | overtraining | swimming | norepinephrine

Swimming, overtraining, recovery and norepinephrine

Lateral knee pain | iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)

Lateral knee pain: here's the syndrome that could be to blame

Black and white: a comparison

Is it their high-intensity training that makes black African runners so fast?

shin splints treatment and shin splints exercise for athletes

Shin Splints Treatment And Shin Splints Exercise For Athletes: The casual phrase "shin splints" can really disguise a number of different complaints per week. Today, though, leg injuries are common in a variety of different sports.

Choosing the right workout

The True Effects of Various Workouts - and How to Answer that Key Question: What Do I Do on Monday?

Sports psychology: Tennis

Sports Psychology: Tennis. How a promising young tennis player was rescued from the clutches of overtraining.

Overtraining and Depression: Is There a Difference?

Overtraining and Depression: Is There a Difference?

athletes diet

Athletes Diet: The triathletes who ate nearly twice as much, yet gained no weight, and improved their performance times by 8 per cent.

Tea

Tea: A cuppa can help you take the strain, but only when you drink it black.

Cross-training

Cross-training: Can runners pedal their way to faster 5K times?

These sizzling 'super sets' will have a dramatic effect on your performance

These sizzling 'super sets' will have a dramatic effect on your performance

Performance secrets

Performance Secrets: This new research suggests that sometimes the most important thing is what you DON'T do.

Tea

In praise of tea - the leaves which may be good for your muscles - and much else besides

overtraining effects on performance

Overtraining Effects On Performance: If you want to prevent staleness and overtraining, keep a record of your quality of sleep and levels of fatigue!

overtraining | illness

Overtraining: Can adaptogens help athletes reduce their risk of infections and overtraining?

Neural Training 2

Neural Training

interval program training

Interval Program Training: To make your workouts more realistic, you should aim to trim down the recoveries.

endurance athletes immune systems

Endurance Athletes Immune Systems: Endurance athletes who swill a carbohydrate drink are not only helping their muscles but also their immune systems.

Recovery time

Recovery Time: To train well, you must find the right balance between hard work and recovery.

overtraining warning signs

Overtraining warning signs - The big question is: how far can you push an athlete's training before breakdown occurs?

training | depression | overtraining

Depression, Training and Overtraining

Training intensity

Training Intensity: On the threshold of something big: how intensely must you train to obtain real benefit?

overtraining prevention

Overtraining prevention: When athletes train too much, problems start to crop up in their nervous, endocrine, and immune systems - problems which can leave the athletes anxious, depressed, low on energy, and vulnerable to infections. Can "Rusko's Rules" help.

Nourishing the immune system

If you suspect your immune system is getting flabby, toughen it up with nutrients.

Running Efficiency

Running Efficiency

knee injuries symptoms 1

Knee Injuries Symptoms: Do your knees sometimes give you the blues? If so, you're in good company: knee injuries are the curse of many athletes, especially runners

Running Injuries: What you don't know about injuries can really hurt you.

How to avoid the most common sporting injuries

Mood states

Mood States: High-level college swimmers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the States were studied for a research project published in 1991.

Workout value

The heart of the matter: here's a novel way to monitor your training load.

squatting exercises | knee injuries | spine injuries

Squatting exercises: How safe is squatting? Does it injure the knees or even the spine? Here's an exhaustive review of the research

Training volume

Training Volume: Long workouts and fast twitch muscles - a nice combination

fat burning zone

Fat burning zone - Why athletes, fitness enthusiasts and slimmers should steer clear of the fat burning zone

Winning: 1

If you want to reach your peak level of performance and be a winner, especially in an endurance sport, you must accomplish five critical tasks:

Running economy 2

Running Economy 2: Here are some of the things your mum forgot to tell you about putting one foot in front of the other

Training Readiness

Training Readiness

Lactate threshold heart-rate

Lactate Threshold Heart-rate: A question of distance, and how to work out your lactate threshold heart rate.

creatine facts

Creatine facts: The latest research results are all good - and don't believe the rumour that it causes cramp.

Crash training: wang and qu

Crash Training: Wang And Qu: It's the question on the lips of many elite female (and male) runners these days: will I ever be able to run as fast as Wang and Qu?

Aquarunning

Aquarunning: Why aquarunning didn't work for these inexperienced athletes.

High altitude training

High Altitude Training: The best place in the world to train is in Finland.

Rest And Recovery

Rest And Recovery: How do you know when you're at risk of overtraining? It's a simple matter of how well you feel, sleep and eat

The testosterone effect

The Testosterone Effect: If you're training the right way, your gonads get into the act.

Eleutherococcus Senticosus

Eleutherococcus Senticosus: Can adaptogens help athletes reduce their risk of infections and overtraining?

common cold | athletes

Athletes and The Common Cold - These tips should help athletes protect against that lurking enemy, the common cold

Female cyclists | health | nutrition

Female cyclists health and nutrition: A guide to the proper care and feeding of female cyclists.

overtraining | overtraining injuries

Overtraining injuries avoidance: How to readjust your training programme so it allows two days' rest per week

Questions

how to improve shooting skill?

I have a player he still not improve in shooting skill. How can he improve?

Strenghtening

How can I strenghten any part of me without using weights. Like at home stuff.

stronger punches

let say i get in to a fight and have to land a good first blow. so far I've been training my biceps,wrist , triceps,shoulders,back and legs since a month. Am i on the right track?

What are some good exercises to do for abs? I just had knee surgery?

I just had my lateral meniscus repaired and I cant swim for three months. But I'm training for a meet in Hawaii at the moment and this is a big hit on my training.

Lack of answers

There's a lack of answers on these forums. Could the community please get involved...

How to handle.

I have a coach that I don't like (can't stand) to be around, how can learn to tolerate him?

How do I make lower stomach fat into abs?

I can define and shape my upper abs but anything I do doesn't define or shape my lower abs. What can I do?

How can I improve my dolphin kick for swimming?

I want to make my under water dolphin kick better, what do I do?

Firefighter Training - Peridisation and other methods?

Hello, I have a client who wants to become a fireman. To do this, he needs to pass some tests. Here are the tests; 1) Running (Condition)

Athletics pre season and mid season training

I mainly do 400m running and my training is specific to that event.

Who or what are elite athletes ??

I am interested in strength and conditioning and may get accredited while at university.

Marathon training falling apart

I am currently 7 weeks away from my first marathon. A few weeks ago I ran 17 miles and it went great. Now I can't even run 1 miles without walking.

Lack of questions on this page...

Why is nobody asking any more questions ?? Nobody knows everything, so get on here and learn from others. Okay I will start the ball rolling...

Is low level "same sport" the best method for active recovery?

I find it hard to get on my bike but keep the intensity low enough for active recovery, especially when I plan for the entire week to be a recovery period.

Sports Science Degree-related work

Has anyone here got an honours in sport and exercise science, or health and exercise science or any other similar degree ?? If so, have you got progressed more than if you had not had a degree ??

I need training advice!!! pls help

I just finished my summer job; so I have lots of time and am doing multiple fitness programs now.

How many hours of triathlon training should I do?

I am a serious wanna-be triathlete, and I want to become the best I can become.

Endurance & Strength training for Kickboxing

*I'm following a 12 week periodization plan, with peak at 12th week, and potential bout at end of the 13th week. *I'm in the end of the 3rd week.

Is it possible to get by without bread and starchy carbohydrates?

I am a vegetarian, and I really love fruit and veg a lot, but I do not eat potato, pasta, rice and bread. Don't like them and would prefer immensely not to eat them.

Protein Bar and supplement usage for muscle gain...?

I have recently decided I needed to put some muscle back on as I am currently a little under the gun in performance and cognitive function and concentration etc...

Amenorrhoea?

What are the ways of treatment? Are there ways to treat it without involving gain of body mass, and more particularly, without gaining fat?

Am i over training?

Im 21 and been going to the gym since january, ive seen lots of improvements and the weights have drastically gone up.

Training for more power and speed?

I am a male sprinter (100 and 200)aged 15 i do general speed training and resistence work i was wondering anyone got any new ideas to improver power speed and acceleration?

What alternatives are there to NSAIDs .

I am a 48 year old 1st Dan Black Belt, I tested in May of 06, I am continuing on to work toward my 2nd degree. I want to continue and perserve my joints in the process.

Lower Abdominal/groin injury - still pain after 6 weeks,

Sustained a suspected tear of lower abdominal muscles with pain from the hip going down into the groin with stiffness and a pulling sensation along the inguinal area.CT scan showed no hernia.I have tr

What do you think of the Peak Performance Premium area? (!)

As the main provider of information in this area, I'd like to find out what you think about the videos and the articles in particular.

Recovery from Overtraining

I am a 21 year old male competitive cyclist and have been struggling with over training syndrome and trying to recover.

I injured my shoulder 10 weeks ago...more than a strain?

I injured my shoulder 10 weeks ago, reaching backward to pull open a stuck door. I didn't go to the doctor right away, because it seemed just sore/strained.

Masters Recovery?

I'm a 46 year old Female triathlete and am having recovery problems after training. Seems like the day after a workout I am really sore and wiped out

Is breathing heavily a cardio problem?

A sportman for some time now has remarked that he is breathing heavily especially at night. Has this anything to do with the cardiovascular system.

How do I increase speed, explosiveness, and my verticle leap?

I am an 20 yr old collegiate basketball player, wanting to improve my speed, foot speed, stability, explosiveness, and verticle leap.

Lateral Knee pain-HELP

I am a competitive rower (female) and have just had to take a summer off due to lateral knee pain that is just constantly there.

Sauna and Blood volume

I have started using a sauna in an effort to get that acclimatization effect which includes and improved sweat response and increased blood volume.

IT Band Syndrome?

Has anyone ever had this and if so, how did you treat it?

Abs?

I have dificulty shaping the lower part of my stomach. What exercise can I do to reach that area.

What can you do in an overtrained state to remedy the position?!

I am 27 and compete in many sports and train with weights additonally and have done from a young age. I do have an addictive requirement to exercise hard and compete, often 'pushing through'.

How do you tell shin splints?

How do you tell if you have shin splints. I have a pain in my left leg above my ankle, but I don't know what it is.

How do I loosen my hamstrings?

I have really tight ham strings and it affects me physically. What is a good stretch or exercise that will help me to loosen them.

Milk

If i Drink Skimmed milk every day for a month and not drink anything else or eat anything else cept from veg and fruit.. will that be a healthy lifestyle?

Describe a training cycle and periodization for bodybuilding?

I have been bodybuilding for four years. I am 36 years old.

back of knee / inside knee pain

i recently started running more milage so i guess this could just be too much training too quickly, from 10-20km a week to 40-50km... i have pain on the inside and back of my left knee.

Des resting heart rate affect your performance?

i am a 22 year old male having played soccer my whole life, my resting heart rate is about 68 beats per minute, this is quite high compared to other elite athletes, would this affect my performance, c

I'm tired all the time

I'm wondering if I am lifting to much. I find it hard to beleive that I could be overtraining.

Shoulder pain

I am having pain down the side & back of my neck, but mostly on the top of my shoulder, I guess the Traps. It's a ache, like arthritis, tendenitis or something. No sharp pains.

Supplementation to prevent upper respiratory infections?

After any type of exercise (running or weight training), I wind up getting sick (upper respiratory) within a day or two. 50 year old male.

What are the benefits of boxing as a sports to college students?

I want to know the psychological benefits a college student can get from boxing as a sport. People tend to associate boxing with violence thus it is not offered as a P.E.

Your Personal Trainer

I can no longer access this, can i have the website address and access to this. I paid for the service at the time but due to computer errors i was not able to gain all info.

Need Experts for a Fighter's development programme/ programme critique

Dear All, I compete in a full contact martial arts, and would like some feedback on the program I am currently on. I am a light-welterweight and weigh 65kg on peak :

Please can someone recommend a UK expert in ITB syndrome?

I developed ITB syndrome nearly two years ago. The injury was triggered by running and presented as lateral knee pain whilst running. However, the pain has also always been present on walking.

Is it peroneal tendinits/arthritis?.

I am 30 years old and have worked as a Registered Nurse for the past 10 years

How can I reduce chronic hard muscle after exercise?

I am 43 year old male, 150lbs, and 5'11".

Do you have a question for our community?

PP Online has over 10,000 registered users, all of them keen sportsmen and women, including many coaches, personal trainers and sports scientists.

How can I tell if I am overtraining?

I think I may be overtrained, but I’m not sure. How can I tell if I am overtraining?

Blogs

Top 5 Sporting Tantrums!

Pressure plays a huge role for any sportsman when competing but those who make it to a professional level have the added stress of expectation brought around by the media, coaches and spectators wh

Federer Season Over?

World number two Roger Federer has announced his withdrawal from this week’s tennis open in Stockholm and has admitted that his season may be over.

Ryder Cup and Davis Cup Could Be Giving The Elbow!

Come Monday morning physiotherapists worldwide may be wondering why they have a queue of sports stars holding their elbow waiting for treatment.

Why Programs Don't Work

I just haven’t had the time to write like before so I wanted to create a solid article which tackles a wide range of issues.

Young Shoulders

So what do we think of "little Tom's" display in the Olympic diving display?? Does it matter that he did not win, or come in the top 3?

Warp up and cool down

When practicing make sure you give it your level best however you should not do too much training because it might cause problems for your body.

Eating problems

I'm a fairly young but well read athlete, and I've been reading up on eating problems in sport, and the female athlete triad as well.

Muscle control shoes

You may have been exposed to the marketing of a new type of running shoe that does not fit into the standard categories of motion control, shock absorption and a neutral shoe.

Achilles Tendinitis/Tendonopathy: Too Little – Too Much

During running, there are two moments when the Achilles tendon is active. The calf muscle (Achilles), is the key muscle involved in push off.

Learn to move better with internet video technology

Learning styles theory implies that individuals learn more when the educational experience is geared toward their preferred style of learning.

Slow motion video & changing faulty running form to treat an injury

In otherwise healthy individual there can be multiple reasons for running with faulty form including: faulty underlying anatomical structure or weakness; a low level of pain, nagging lingering injury;

Symmetry – Asymmetry: Problem Solving a Repetitive Use Injury

Searching for the reason that repetitive use injuries occur can be difficult and frustrating.

Prevention of Running Injuries: What is the evidence?

Prevention of Running Injuries: What is the evidence?

Have shoulder pains?

Have shoulder pains? You came to the right place.

The 7 Deadly Sins of Lifting

“The 7 Deadly Sins of Lifting” this is another installment from A. Jay of a series of motivational articles.

Training for distance running (and Injury)

I am 71 years of age and trying to return to running after more than twenty years of inactivity.

How to warm up before training and event

TRAINING ADVICE Warm ups Warming up prior to exercise, helps lower your risk of injuries and the aches and pains that come with exercise.

Nick's Strength Q&A!

Here is the first and not the last instalment of Nick Mitchell’s long awaited All Strength Q&A.

Suggest me

I want to build muscles and reduce body fats

Are you making these mistakes as an Athlete?

Don’t get me wrong nobody’s perfect, especially me, many of these ideas came from my “Stupidity”, a rollercoaster of discovery, injuries and re-injury, does that sound about right?

Sports Medicine Foot and Ankle Rehabilitation

This article was a long time coming. After writing and then scraping and re-writing it is a good way to describe this.

shin splints

INTRODUCTION TO SHIN SPLINTS

The Insider’s Secrets to a Flat Stomach

Hey regular blog readers myself and Nick sat down and and had a conversation, long story short this article was born.

Rotational Carbohydrates "RO-CHO" ?

Rotational Carbohydrates "RO-CHO" Article by Steve Blades. It is all about carbohydrate rotation for ultimate performance.

Dont Be a "Hard Learner"!

Another great read by Steve Blades aka "Marmite". If you are not making gains in the gym or the track this will change everything completely.

You are a Beginner, READ THIS!

A great,long article about everything on general bodybuilding ,training, nutrition and supplementation as a beginner.

The Right Resolutions!

A great new update to hit Rawgrip.com, a great article for all of the new found health freaks this year.

Squat Rx Video Creator Interview

If you are a serious lifter you must have heard of the “Squat Rx” video series all over the net. The Videos are available on YouTube.

How Focused Are You at the Gym?

Sean discusses The Top 10 Reasons why you are slacking in the Gym and How to prevent this. He exposes some great Tips how to make your training sessions more productive for better end results.

How To Increase Bench Press

Finally an article created for all you serious weight shifters. C Pikey discuses the truth about A massive Bench Press and gives some tips How To Improve your Weak Bench.

Glycemic Index in Athletes and Weight management

An article about the glycemic index of carbohydrates pertains directly to athletes and their performance.

Protein intake in Athletes

A new article by Michael Nystrom discussing the protein intake amounts in athletes. Athlete Protein intake article

HELP!!!!

America's growing health crisis.

Catalano (Sam) All about tennis coaching.

Hi seeking info to implement into my tennis coaching to increase the development of my young players, all suggestions greatly appreciated. For e.g simple ways to understand a kick serve.

GrahamPhysios Blog

For online injury advice combined with performance enhancement look no further.

Peak Performance Relaunches!

It's a very exciting day for us today, because we've had our first major relaunch in 7 years.

Write for Peak Performance

When we set up the new PP Online site, one of our biggest aims was to create a place where anyone with a passion for sport could share their opinions and experiences.

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