Which of the following is a common sign of overtraining?

Decreased performance is a common sign of overtraining because, as athletes engage in excessive training without adequate recovery, their bodies may become fatigued and their physiological systems can become compromised. When an athlete overtrains, they may experience a decline in strength, endurance, and overall performance levels. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including hormonal imbalances, immune system suppression, and accumulated fatigue, all of which hinder the body’s ability to recover and improve.

In contrast, increased muscle glycogen and improved performance are typically indicative of effective training and adaptation, suggesting that the body is responding positively rather than being overwhelmed. Furthermore, an increased submaximal heart rate (HR) can indicate potential issues but is not as directly correlated with the decreased performance seen in overtraining. Athletes often need to pay close attention to performance metrics, as a notable drop can be an essential signal urging them to reassess their training load and recovery strategies.