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Australian Army recruits-in-training display symptoms of overtraining
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 06:41 authored by Booth, C, Probert, B, Forbes-Ewan, CF, Coad, RAThe proposition that the demands of recruit training, including physical and psychological stresses, result in symptoms of overtraining was investigated during the 45-day Army Common Recruit Training course. Body mass, physical fitness, fasting blood measures of immune status, hormones (serum free testosterone/cortisol ratio), inflammation, and iron status were measured at baseline and after weeks 5 and 6. Psychological measures of mood and fatigue and general health were measured at the end of each week. Sleep diaries were completed each evening and morning. Evidence for overtraining symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbance, immune suppression, reduced iron status, high rates of minor injuries, and hormonal changes was found. However, recruits were not pushed so hard that physical performance deteriorated greatly. Accumulated sleep deprivation might be a major contributor to the adverse hormonal changes. We conclude that there was some evidence of recruits being overtrained.
History
Publication title
Military MedicineVolume
171Issue
11Pagination
1059-1064ISSN
0026-4075Department/School
School of Health SciencesPublisher
Assn Military Surg UsPlace of publication
9320 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, USA, Md, 20814Repository Status
- Restricted