Page 147 - JSOM Summer 2022

FIGURE 2 Theoretical model for allostatic imbalance continuum. social) process in time for the re-establishment of performance
abilities. Recovery includes an action-oriented component,
and those self-initiated activities (proactive recovery) can be
systematically used to optimize situational conditions and to
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build up and refill personal resources and buffers.” Top op-
erational performance cannot be accomplished through op-
timal training intensity and volume only; adequate rest and
recovery periods between training cycles and deployments are
also necessary. 1,5,39

Researchers and practitioners should consider future human
performance recovery initiatives for SOs to sustain peak per-
formance and improve career longevity through (1) the timing
of appropriate recovery interventions following deployments
FO, functional overreaching; Max, maximum; NFO, nonfunctional and advanced training courses, (2) training to manage other
overreaching; OTS, overtrained syndrome; Trng, training; URS, life stressors, and (3) the use of appropriate recovery tracking
under-recovery syndrome technology to encourage behavioral changes as well as to track
key physiological warning signs of NFO and OTS. Accurately
There are conflicting estimates of the incidence and prevalence diagnosing either NFO or OTS has historically been difficult
of OTS, likely because of the wide-ranging definitions, small because of the complexity in diagnostic testing 37,40 and lack of
study cohorts, contradictory diagnostic criteria, and varied longitudinal research in the SO community. 6,37,39 Therefore, as
definitions of what truly qualifies as NFO. Presently, there a first step, we propose the use of multidimensional recovery
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is no agreed-upon theory of how NFO or OTS develops, espe- tracking (MDRT), using wearable physiological monitoring
cially in SOs. However, it is accepted that in certain occupa- devices to warn of an impending state of NFO or URS/OTS.
tions, such as those of SOs, where the body is under stress for
prolonged periods, the risk of entering a state of NFO mark- Biological Mechanisms for NFO/OTS
edly increases. 1,2,6,36,37 Furthermore, researchers have proposed As reviewed previously, the initial and sustained training of
various hypotheses but have not yet agreed about the patho- SOs is physiologically demanding, resulting in reductions in
physiology of OTS. For SOs, a common risk factor for NFO testosterone (-6%), lean body mass (-5%), and muscular
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is the improper ratio of recovery to ongoing physiological and strength (-12%), all of which are connected to sleep depri-
psychological stress, especially following a rigorous training vation (3 h/day) and caloric deficits (-3,351 cal). Ultimately,
2
or deployment cycle. However, according to the Joint Con- the stressors of the job may exceed the capacity of SOs for
1,6
sensus Statement of the European College of Sport Science and physiological adaptation. Simply put, SOs may fail to adapt to
the American College of Sports Medicine, there is currently recurring stimuli (i.e., stressors), leading to a state of physio-
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no simple yet sensitive test for diagnosing OTS. Hence, there logical depletion. Hence, we postulate that such overexposure
is a definite need for a system to diagnose OTS. may result in significant disruptions in the neuroendocrine
system, which is one of the most responsive of physiological
OTS is a chronic imbalance between allostatic load and re- systems (e.g., nervous, immune, endocrine) and serves as a
covery, associated with fatigue and other physiological and pivotal regulator of physiological homeostasis. Repeated dis-
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psychological symptoms. Over weeks or months, the related ruptions in the HPA axis, overactivation of the ANS, and sup-
symptoms of OTS may result in significant decrements in over- pression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis may lead
all physical and mental performance. Restoration and recov- to longstanding decrements in the health and performance
ery from OTS take even longer than from NFO, and although of SOs. 42-47
full recovery is possible, there may be permanent performance
deficits if major chronic musculoskeletal injuries have oc- We postulate that the biological mechanisms for NFO/OTS
curred. We posit that OTS is more likely to occur in SOs who in SOs are explained by the principles of homeostatic regu-
have deployed many times and have undergone a prolonged, lation and the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) model.
intense training schedule with inadequate recovery interven- First, the GAS model serves as a robust theoretical framework
tions during their career. that describes any organism’s ability to adapt to disruptions
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in the physiological milieu. Hackney states that “it is un-
Given the consequence of NFO/OTS, the resulting musculo- clear as to what is the physiological mechanism that induces
skeletal injuries sustained by SOs, and the negative impact overtraining syndrome.” However, “the most prevailing the-
of these injuries on force readiness, research is needed to de- ory suggests that clinically overt overtraining syndrome may
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termine how to achieve effective recovery. 1-3,5,6 Fatigue and reflect the exhaustive stage of Selye’s GAS.” An organism’s
under-recovery can be resolved, and organismic allostatic bal- perceptual response to a stimulus will regulate the degree of its
ance regained, through the use of proven physiological and neurophysiological response to it. For example, all mammals
psychological recovery strategies and rest periods. How- perceive stress differently; therefore, their response will vary
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ever, NFO requires a more extended, continuous recovery individually across time. For instance, an organism’s response
period. 28,32 According to Kellmann and Kölling, recovery to an acute stressor will likely abate faster depending on its per-
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is defined as a multilayered (e.g., physiological, psychologi- ceived intensity of the stressor and the recovery time afforded
cal) restorative process over time. Additionally, Kellmann between stress exposures. However, if the acute stressor does
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emphasizes the need for personalized recovery strategies and not fully abate, then these repeated acute stress exposures,
monitoring and defines recovery as “an inter-individual and coupled with inadequate recovery, can lead to chronic over-
intra-individual multi-level (e.g., psychological, physiological, activation of the HPA axis and ANS. The combination of a SO

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