Fast Talk Femmes Podcast: How to Avoid Overtraining—with Dr. Trent Stellingwerff
May 16, 2023
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Dr. Trent Stellingwerff shares insights on preventing overtraining in female endurance athletes through periodized nutrition. The episode covers balancing hard training with rest, training guidance for young athletes, monitoring energy availability, optimizing supplements, and periodized nutrition for middle distance athletes.
Accurate diagnosis of overtraining and RED-S requires consideration of unique etiologies and symptoms.
Patience and proper fueling are crucial for young female athletes to prevent issues like stress fractures.
Periodized nutrition tailored to training demands enhances performance for female endurance athletes.
Deep dives
The Value of Consensus Statements on RED-S
Dr. Trent Stellingworth discusses his involvement in the International Olympic Committee consensus on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). The previous consensus in 2018 highlighted the need for additional research, leading to the latest update. The upcoming consensus will include nine or ten papers covering the various aspects of RED-S. Dr. Stellingworth has contributed to the development of a new clinical assessment tool for RED-S, which will aid in diagnosing and assessing the severity of the syndrome.
The Relationship Between Overtraining and RED-S
Dr. Stellingworth explains that the symptoms of overtraining and RED-S are closely intertwined, with similar presentations. Many studies on overtraining are confounded by low energy availability, making it challenging to differentiate between the two. However, the etiology of the two conditions is distinct, with low energy availability being the primary cause of RED-S and overtraining resulting from excessive training without nutritional deficiencies. Accurate diagnosis is complex but can be facilitated by considering multiple risk factors, symptoms, and signs.
Strategies to Avoid RED-S and Overtraining
Dr. Stellingworth shares strategies to prevent RED-S and overtraining. He emphasizes the importance of monitoring internal and external training loads using metrics like rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, and lactate levels. Additionally, he recommends implementing a system to assess athlete fatigue and pacing discipline during training. Proactive rest and recovery cycles, periodized monitoring, and the cooperation of athletes in tracking key metrics are highlighted as crucial factors in finding the right balance between training adaptations and health.
Importance of Patience
One key takeaway from the podcast episode is the importance of patience for young female athletes. The guest emphasizes that athletes should not rush their development and should understand that their bodies are going through changes, especially during puberty. They need to focus on achieving excellent recovery and fueling properly, rather than trying to manipulate their body composition. The guest also highlights the significance of optimizing bone health during puberty, as this period plays a crucial role in bone accrual. Patience is key for long-term success and avoiding potential issues like stress fractures and compromised bone health.
Periodized Nutrition and Fueling Training
Another main idea discussed in the podcast is the concept of periodized nutrition and how it can benefit female endurance athletes. Periodized nutrition involves adjusting the types and amounts of nutrients based on the specific demands of training at different times of the year. For example, carbohydrate intake may vary depending on the volume and intensity of workouts. The guest emphasizes the importance of fueling training properly, as it enhances performance and allows for better training. They also mention that most athletes benefit from focusing on fueling their bodies well, rather than attempting to perfectly manipulate body composition. Gradually and intelligently increasing training loads is also crucial for long-term success.