The overtraining: to a system of evaluation usable by routine examination

Aim. - To develop and to validate a simple system of evaluation of the syndrome of overtraining. Synthesis of facts. - The French questionnaire of the "Societe Francaise de Medecine du Sport" for detection of early signs of overtraining has undergone intensive methodological investigations, demonstrating its reproducibility and sensitivity. A multicentric study has been performed. It is easy to employ and the risk of misunderstanding is low. It can be used in follow-up studies and is correlated with biological markers. Actually its score is increased by both training and overtraining, so that the cut-off value between physiology and pathology remains elusive. However, values higher than 20-25 may reflect overreaching or overtraining or a situation at risk for them. Differential diagnosis with depression, eating disorders, of lack of sincerity due to external influences are not likely to induce misinterpretations if the clinician is aware of these possibilities. Conclusion. - This questionnaire remains a subject of research but appears to be suitable for clinical practice. (C) 2003 Publie par Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.