Are You Overtraining Without Realizing It?

7. Elevated Resting Heart Rate: The Silent Alarm

Monitoring resting heart rate can provide valuable insights into an athlete's recovery status. An elevated resting heart rate is a subtle yet significant sign of overtraining. This increase is due to the body's heightened stress response, as it works overtime to repair and recover from excessive physical demands. Athletes may notice that their heart rate remains elevated even during periods of rest, indicating that the body is not fully recovering. Regularly tracking resting heart rate can help in identifying this early warning sign, allowing for timely adjustments to training intensity and volume.

8. Chronic Muscle Soreness: The Lingering Pain

Muscle soreness is a normal response to exercise, but when it becomes chronic and persists beyond the typical recovery period, it can indicate overtraining. This lingering soreness suggests that the muscles are not receiving adequate time to repair and rebuild. Over time, this can lead to more serious injuries, as the body becomes less capable of handling the physical demands placed upon it. Understanding the difference between normal post-exercise soreness and chronic pain is crucial for preventing long-term damage and ensuring sustainable training practices.