Which of the following is a common sign of overtraining?

Chronic fatigue and decreased performance are hallmark indicators of overtraining. Overtraining occurs when there is an imbalance between training and recovery, leading to a state where the body is unable to recover adequately from exercise stress. This can result in persistent tiredness and overall feelings of exhaustion, along with a decline in performance, even in activities that were previously manageable.

Athletes and fitness enthusiasts might find that they struggle to achieve their typical workout intensity, experience slower times, or feel unusually fatigued after training sessions. Alongside these performance decreases, they may also experience other symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. The body's inability to cope with the repeated stressors leads to these physical and psychological manifestations, signifying that the individual is pushing their limits too far without allowing sufficient time for recovery.

In contrast, signs such as increased energy levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced focus and mood typically indicate a well-balanced training program that includes adequate recovery, suggesting that the individual is not overtrained but rather optimized in their training approach.