ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the physiological basis for training and examines the methods that have been proposed for quantifying and effectively monitoring training adaptation, fitness, and fatigue among athletes. The emphasis on monitoring the training dose-response relationship in high performance sports continues to evolve. The measurement of resting or post-exercise heart rate variability has been found to indicate both positive and negative adaptations to training. Essential components of optimal training include physical adaptation to the training being performed and the possibility for athletes to practice and compete at the highest level of performance capability. Different terms have been used to describe the phenomenon of overtraining: overwork, over-reaching, staleness, burnout, over-fatigue, short-and long-term overtraining. According to RB Kreider et al. Functional Overreaching is an accumulation of training and non-training stress resulting in a short-term decrement in performance capacity with or without related physiological and/or psychological signs and symptoms of overtraining.
