What is a common sign of overtraining in athletes?

Decreased performance and increased fatigue are hallmark signs of overtraining in athletes. When an athlete overtrains, their body is subjected to excessive amounts of stress without adequate recovery, leading to a decline in physical performance. This decline may manifest as exhaustion during workouts, a reduced ability to complete previously manageable exercises, or a general feeling of lethargy. Additionally, as the body struggles to recover from the heightened stress levels, fatigue can become more pronounced, impacting both physical and mental capacities.

In contrast, increased motivation is not typically associated with overtraining; rather, it may be a sign of optimal training conditions. Improved strength gains would also contradict the effects of overtraining, as the performance degradation would suggest a plateau or decline rather than progress. Enhanced recovery time is also not a characteristic of overtraining; in fact, overtrainers often experience prolonged recovery times due to the stress their bodies are under. Thus, decreased performance and increased fatigue stand out as the primary indicators of overtraining.