Overuse Syndromes

Overuse syndrome, also known as repetitive stress injury (RSI) and cumulative trauma disorders (CTD), is a condition that occurs when a body part is subjected to prolonged and excessive use, leading to damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones. At least half of the injuries in approximately 50% of all sports participants will be caused by overuse.¹

What Causes Overuse Syndrome?

Overuse syndromes are caused by repetitive motions and ongoing micro-injuries, or irritation to certain body areas such as the knees, shoulders, ankles, elbows, and hips.² These injuries affect people of all ages, although they are more common in sports enthusiasts, sports professionals, and manual labor workers.

Most Common Overuse Injuries in the Adult Population

• Shoulder Impingement
• Rotator Cuff Tears
• Epicondylitis - a painful condition affecting the tendons attaching to the elbow's bony prominences (epicondyles). Examples include:
  1. Little League Elbow (also known as pitcher's elbow or Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis)
  2. Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
  3. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Patello-femoral Dysfunction (also known as Chondromalacia Patella)
• Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBS)
• Shin Splints
• Chronic Ankle Sprains
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Stress Fractures

Overtraining Syndrome

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is another overuse syndrome. It is different than feeling sore the day after a big workout or training session. OTS is a condition that happens when you exercise too often or too intensely for long enough that it starts to hurt your body. It typically affects athletes, particularly people training competitively. Children and teens who specialize in one sport early also have an increased risk for overtraining syndrome.

Healthcare providers divide overtraining syndrome into three stages based on where it's affecting you and the type of symptoms you're experiencing:

1. Stage 1 overtraining syndrome (functional overtraining): Stage 1 OTS causes mild symptoms that may be hard to notice or tell apart from usual aches and pains after training. Your body is giving you warning signs that it's not recovering properly between sessions of activity.
2. Stage 2 overtraining syndrome (sympathetic overtraining syndrome, also known as Basedow's overtraining syndrome): Stage 2 OTS causes symptoms that affect your sympathetic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that controls your body's response to stress — your "fight-or-flight" response.
3. Stage 3 overtraining syndrome (parasympathetic OTS, also known as Addison's overtraining syndrome): Stage 3 OTS causes symptoms in your parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes your body's systems. Stage 3 OTS is usually the most severe and takes the longest to recover from.

Important Note:

Overtraining syndrome isn't always a progressive condition. So, not everyone with OTS starts at Stage 1, then develops Stage 2, then Stage 3. Any stage can exist without the others.

Preventing OTS

To prevent overtraining syndrome, it's important to incorporate adequate rest and recovery days into your routine. Monitoring your body's signals, such as increased fatigue or decreased performance, can also help you adjust your activity intensity when needed. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring proper hydration are crucial components in supporting overall health.

References:

1. Barry, N., & McGuire, J. (1996). OVERUSE SYNDROMES IN ADULT ATHLETES. Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0889-857x(05)70285-4
2. What are Overuse Syndromes? | OrthoUnited. https://orthounitedohio.com/blog/what-are-overuse-syndromes/