Overtraining for swimming can be tempting, especially if you are not advancing as fast as your teammates or you have an important competition coming up; however, overtraining can be dangerous to both your physical and emotional well-being. This makes it important to understand what can trigger overtraining and how it can be prevented.
Side Effects
Swimmers who overtrain can experience shoulder injuries, fatigue, weakness, poor performance, a higher than normal heart rate, appetite loss, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, poor concentration, depression, irritability and a decrease in sex drive. In addition, it can seem that you are working harder to achieve the same type of performance results as before. Overtraining for swimming also can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.
Causes
Overtraining can occur if you have a competitive nature and want to keep up with your teammates or fellow swimmers. You also can feel pushed to be better by coaches, friends or even a parent. This can cause you to try too hard to increase intensity, speed or your performance level before your body and muscles are ready. In addition, the adrenaline rush that occurs during intense swimming can make it difficult to notice your body becoming fatigued and overworked. Sleep deprivation, poor nutrition and even jet lag also can contribute to overtraining.
Treatment and Prevention
Prevent overtraining by gradually increasing the intensity of your swimming routine rather than suddenly increasing it. Start out by doing drills that help you to concentrate on your stroke technique rather than intensity. Swim at your own pace and intensity level. Do not try to compete with or copy your fellow swimmers while training. Save the competition for when it actually counts: a race or event.
Considerations
Seek medical attention if you experience pain or discomfort anywhere in your body that lasts for more than two weeks as the result of overtraining. Overtraining for swimming can cause severe damage to bones, ligaments and tendons. This is especially true if you do not do not allow time for injuries to heal properly. In addition, children who overtrain for swimming can experience abnormalities in maturation and growth.
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