Overtraining is a problem for athletes in many sports. Generally, overtraining is a prolonged state of fatigue and decreased performance due to working too hard to reach fitness or sports goals. Competitive tennis players experience much pressure, as winning or losing depends on solo performances on the court. Consequently, they train hard to prepare -- sometimes too hard.
Function
Depending on the severity of the overtraining, tennis players might burn out, meaning they need weeks or months to recover their physical health. For that reason, some tennis leagues have age restrictions that don't allow players to turn professional until they reach a certain age, by which time they might be better able to handle the pressures of high competition. For example, the World Tennis Association only allows female players to turn professional if they are 14 or older, and the number of tournaments they may participate in is limited until they reach the age of 18.
General Signs and Symptoms
Overtrained tennis players might display the same symptoms as those who overtrain in other sports. Typical signs of overtraining include a loss of motivation, decreased appetite, weight loss, a lack of desire to work hard, sleep problems, emotional instability and depression. They also might experience an increased number of infections or illnesses.
Tennis-specific Incidents
Overtraining also might cause an increased incidence of musculoskeletal injuries. Tennis players are prone to injuries that involve their joints -- especially in the shoulder, back and knee -- according to a study that appeared in a 2005 issue of the journal "Medicine and Sport Science." Tennis players might twist their ankles due to the quick direction changes they make during a typical game. Also, repeatedly swinging a racket can cause tennis elbow, a condition in which the tendons in the elbow are overworked to the point that they cause severe pain, which could spread as far as the forearm and wrist.
Considerations
There's no simple way to avoid overtraining. You must learn to recognize the symptoms and relax your training schedule accordingly. But you can minimize the chance of overtraining by setting aside at least one day a week for rest and recovery. Not only will this help you relax mentally, it will give your body time to recover from your strenuous training. The most effective approach, however, is to work with an expert tennis coach who can help you design a workout program that incorporates weight training, an appropriate number of practice matches, supplementary aerobic activity and sufficient periods of rest.
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