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Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(02): 138-144
DOI: 10.1055/a-1954-9239
Clinical Sciences

Association between Self-reported Overtraining Syndrome and Symptoms in High School Track and Field Athletes

Yuka Tsukahara 
1   Graduate School of Sports Science, Waseda University – Tokorozawa Campus, Tokorozawa, Japan
2   Department of Sports Medicine, Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education
,
Hiroshi Kamada 
3   Department of Othopaedic sugery, University of Tsukuba Faculty of Medicine, Tsukuba, Japan
,
Suguru Torii
4   Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan
,
Fumihiro Yamasawa
5   Marubeni Clinic, Marubeni Corp, Chiyoda-ku, Japan
› Author Affiliations Funding This publication was subsidized by JKA through its promotion funds from KEIRIN RACE.
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Abstract

Diagnosing overtraining syndrome is challenging and it is often correlated with other diseases, especially those related to low energy availability. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms and correlative factors in 389 female and 572 male national-level high school track and field athletes. They were asked to complete a survey regarding their history of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms, injuries, and diseases. The survey results revealed that 13.4% (52/389) of female and 13.3% (76/572) of male athletes had a history of overtraining syndrome-like symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed that training hours per day (odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.71) was an associated factor in female athletes, while rest days per week (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–1.00), skipping meals (odds ratio, 3.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–9.29), and having snacks/light meals on a regular basis (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–0.83) were the associated factors in male athletes. In conclusion, athletes with overtraining syndrome-like symptoms may be prone to injuries and diseases. Hence, although overtraining syndrome is difficult to diagnose, further attention should be paid to minimize overtraining syndrome-related risks.

Key words

overtraining syndrome - injury - anemia - track and field


Publication History

Received: 11 July 2022

Accepted: 29 September 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
04 October 2022

Article published online:
11 November 2022

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