Best Practice Case Studies-Diagnosing Overtraining Syndrome

Pdf Summary

The scoping review conducted by Carrard et al. aimed to systematically summarize research on biomarkers and tools potentially diagnostic for Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) in athletes, a condition characterized by long-term performance decrements due to inadequate balance between training load and recovery. As of the date of database searches through February 4, 2021, the study reviewed literature from PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. It identified 39 eligible studies out of 5561 total search results, covering a variety of potential biomarkers such as basal hormone and neurotransmitter levels, psychological assessments, heart rate variability, exercise tests, and more.<br /><br />The evidence drawn from these studies indicates that multiple body systems are involved in OTS, emphasizing the condition's complexity and the lack of a clear, singular diagnostic test. For instance, markers such as elevated cortisol, altered heart rate variability, and psychological mood disturbances like elevated fatigue and lower vigor scores were noted as indicative of OTS. Prominent diagnostic scores identified include EROS-CLINICAL, EROS-SIMPLIFIED, and EROS-COMPLETE, yet the authors recommend further validation, especially among female athletes.<br /><br />Limitations of the study include the lack of standard definitions for OTS, making differentiation difficult between OTS and similar conditions like nonfunctional overreaching. Sample sizes in the studies are generally small, indicating a need for more comprehensive research. Notably, the cohort was biased towards endurance athletes, and female athletes were underrepresented, leading to calls for more inclusive studies addressing gender differences.<br /><br />In conclusion, the findings underscore the multisystemic nature of OTS, hinting at its possible status as a heterogenous syndrome. Future research may benefit from omic technologies like metabolomics to extend understanding and develop more robust diagnostic criteria.

Meta Tag

Edition 3rd Edition

Related Case 3rd Edition, CASE 35

Topic Metabolic/Medical Conditions

Keywords

3rd Edition, CASE 35

3rd Edition

Metabolic/Medical Conditions

Overtraining Syndrome

biomarkers

diagnostic tools

athletes

heart rate variability

psychological assessments

cortisol

EROS scores

gender differences

metabolomics