jacqui

maybe if there is a low amt of glycogen produced/utilised then that could be an indicator the athlete isnt getting enough CHOs (so their diet should be assessed), or its something clinical to do with their liver (something impairing their ability to produce glycogen or perform gluconeogenesis??).. maybe if they have excessive lactate there could be a problem with transporting it back to the liver ie circulation problems or a problem again with the liver... what exactly do liver function tests measure? would a LFT be able to determine problems regarding lactate/glycogen?? maybe a low RBC count could influence the lactate buildup (if there is one). i mean, if theres something causing a decreased number of RBC then the capacity to carry the lactic acid out of the muscles would be affected too, wouldnt it? if the athlete maybe just naturally has a low RBC count (if thats possible) altitute training increases the amount of RBCs so maybe that could be some help?

hmm have a look at this one... Overtraining Syndrome A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention Christopher J. Hawley, MD, Robert B. Schoene, MD, Practice Essentials Series Editors: Kimberly G. Harmon, MD, Aaron Rubin, MD. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. Minneapolis: Jun 2003.Vol.31, Iss. 6; pg. 25 Laboratory Testing Unfortunately, there are no sufficiently sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for overtraining syndrome. Many biologic markers for overtraining syndrome require serial measurements and comparison to baseline data. Collection must be well controlled, which is often achievable only under research conditions. Changes in laboratory parameters often don't distinguish between overreaching and overtraining syndrome. Initial laboratory testing is useful, however, to screen for other causes of fatigue. Testing should include a complete blood count, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, iron studies, serum electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels. Pregnancy testing, liver function tests, urinalysis, serum cortisol levels (after stimulation testing) and serologies for Epstein-Barr, hepatitis, or human immunodeficiency virus are frequently indicated. Other studies may be needed based on the clinical situation. If baseline measurements (eg, maximal oxygen consumption, heart rate, and workload) are known, exercise testing may demonstrate a reduced physical performance capacity. These changes are not consistently present in overtraining syndrome and are not specific for the diagnosis. Documenting a reduced physical capacity could be helpful, however, if other objective indicators of performance decrements are not found in the athlete's history. Continuous electrocardiography and pre- and posttest spirometry can also be used to evaluate exercise-induced bronchospasm and other pulmonary conditions, cardiac ischemia, and arrhythmias.

has anyone had a moment of brilliance and thought of something no one else has thought of before!?

yeah for sure, hit me with ur student nurse theory!

Heya scientists! anyone here study exercise/sports science? We were going thru overtraining in our lecture the other day, and the signs of the athlete suffering from it (decreased performance, oss of appetite/weight loss, muscle tenderness, decreased immune function, increased resting HR/BP etc) but there doesnt seem to be a way of predicting its occurance, other than seeing the decresed performance, which is too late anyway... we discussed the poss that heart rate, blood lactate, blood enzyme levels (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase etc), changes in the T wave of the aths ECG could possibly be indicators, but theyre either non specific or are too hard fora regular coach to measure (like O2 consumption). anyone know of any studies or anything thats shown how overtraining can be predicted in athletes???