Absence of the predisposing factors and signs and symptoms usually associated with overreaching and overtraining in physical fitness centers.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of the well-known predisposing factors and signs and symptoms usually associated with either overreaching or overtraining syndrome in physical fitness centers in São Paulo City, Brazil.


METHODS
A questionnaire consisting of 13 question groups pertaining to either predisposing factors (1-7) or signs and symptoms (8-13) was given to 413 subjects. The general training schedule of the volunteers was characterized by workout sessions of 2.18 ± 0.04 h for a total of 11.0 ± 0.3 h/week for 33 ± 2 months independent of the type of exercise performed (walking, running, spinning, bodybuilding and stretching). A mean score was calculated ranging from 1 (completely absent) to 5 (severe) for each question group. A low occurrence was considered to be a question group score lower than 4, which was observed in all 13 question groups.


RESULTS
The psychological evaluation by POMS Mood State Questionnaire indicated a normal non-inverted iceberg. The hematological parameters, creatine kinase activity, cortisol, total testosterone and free testosterone concentrations were within the normal ranges for the majority of the volunteers selected for this analysis (n = 60).


CONCLUSIONS
According to the questionnaire score analysis, no predisposing factors or signs and symptoms usually associated with either overreaching or overtraining were detected among the members of physical fitness centers in São Paulo City, Brazil. This observation was corroborated by the absence of any significant hematological or stress hormone level alterations in blood analyses of the majority of the selected volunteers (n = 60).
Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. carol.ackeldelia@gmail.com
Carolina
C
Ackel-D'Elia
Rodrigo Luiz
RL
Vancini
Adauto
A
Castelo
Viviane Louise Andrée
VL
Nouailhetas
Antonio Carlos da
AC
Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
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