Overtraining athletes: personal journeys in sport

Preface: Reading This Book

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part I. What We Know So Far

Chapter 1. Introduction to Research and Terminology in Overtraining: Introduction to Overtraining

Past Studies and Limitations in Overtraining Research

Sorting Out the Terminology of Overtraining

Why Language Is Important

Stress and Recovery: Taking a Broader Viewpoint

Conclusions

Chapter 2. How Big Is It? The Prevalence and Manifestation of Overtraining

Prevalence Research and Data for Overtraining

Markers of Overtraining

Other Overtraining Outcomes

Conclusions

Chapter 3. What Brings It On? Risk Factors for Overtraining

Risk Factors for Overtraining

Directions for Research on Overtraining Phenomena

Conclusions

Part II. What the Experts Have to Say

Chapter 4. Coaches' and Sport Scientists' Views on Risk Factors

Characteristics, Behaviors, Attitudes, and Experiences of Susceptible Athletes

People, Factors, and Situations That Pressure Athletes to Increase Training

People, Factors, and Situations That Affect Athletes' Needs for Recovery

Conclusions

Chapter 5. Burnt Cookies: Conversations With an Exercise Physiologist

Introducing the Exercise Physiologist

Studying Oneself

Training as an Exercise Physiologist

The Source of Fascination: Connecting Dave's Story With His Athletes

Coaches and Overtraining

Stories of Professional Elitism

Exercise Physiologist as Lay Psychologist

Burnt Cookies

Further Conversation With David Martin

Why Does Overtraining Keep Happening?

The Exercise Physiologist-Athlete Relationship

When Service Goes Pear-Shaped

The Quality of Relationships Fuels Change

Why Do I Do What I Do?

Reflections on David

Chapter 6. Sport Systems Can Damage: Conversations With a Sport Psychologist

Introducing Dr. Trisha Leahy

Overtraining, Abuse, and Trauma

Are You Uncomfortable Now?

Exploring Perceived Risks

The System Is the Problem

Individual Risks Versus System Risks: False Dichotomies

Psychosocial and Family Dynamics

Harassment in Sport

Silencing Men's Voices in Sport

Five Years Later in Hong Kong: Overtraining and Trauma Revisited

Duty of Care and Professional Bystanding

You Have to Be Mentally Tough: Cultural Values That Justify Abuse

Men in Sport Revisited

The Power of Early Experiences

Perfectionism and Idealism

Reflections on Trisha

A Closing Story for Part II

Part III. What Can We Learn From Athletes?

Chapter 7. The Pathogenic World of Professional Sport: Steve's Tale

Introducing Steve

Early Ambivalence About Sport

Love of the Game and Regret

Playing for Pay

Injury Mismanagement

Coach and Medical Staff Pressures

Going the Extra Mile

Lessons Learned Early

The Culture of Footy

Living and Performing for Others

Reflections on Steve

Chapter 8. A Case of Olympic Seduction: John's Tale

Introducing John and His Seduction

Olympic Gold as Love Object

Early Successes

Knowledge Versus the Human Heart

The Devastation of Shattered Dreams

Repeating Patterns

Struggling to Understand

Interpersonal Influences Driving Overtraining

Reflections on John

Chapter 9. The Perfect Girl: Jane's Tale

Introducing Jane

I Am an Overtrainer!

No One Can Stop Me

Parental Influences

Hiding Weaknesses and Battling Anxieties

The Gravity of Weight

Early Sport and Performance Lessons Learned

Institutional Abuse

The Good Coach Can't Fix Her

Internal and Cultural Drivers of Overtraining

Reflections on Jane

Chapter 10. The Perfect Boy: The Author's Tale

Sean's Tale

All Our Stories

Athletes' Perspectives and Risk Factors for Overtraining

Athletes' Stories Compared With Athletes' Experiences From the Literature

Conclusions

Part IV. Past Models and Current Conceptions

Chapter 11. Models of Overtraining: Then and Now

Synthesis of Experts' Perspectives and Athletes' Experiences

The OT Risks and Outcomes Model

OT Risks and Outcomes Model Compared With Other Models

Conclusions

Chapter 12. Afterword: Where to From Here?

Current Applications

Future Directions

Pipe Dreams

Parting Glances

Suggested Further Readings

References

Index

About the Authors