What are common symptoms of overtraining?

The choice highlighting decreased performance, fatigue, irritability, and increased injury risk accurately reflects the symptoms commonly associated with overtraining. Overtraining occurs when an individual exceeds their body's ability to recover from intense physical training, leading to a state of physical and mental exhaustion.

Decreased performance is a hallmark sign, as the body becomes unable to respond optimally to training stimuli. Fatigue sets in not only physically but also mentally, impacting motivation and enjoyment of workouts. Irritability can emerge due to the stress that overtraining places on the body, which can affect mood and interaction with others. Additionally, the risk of injuries increases because the body may not adequately repair itself, leading to overuse injuries and a longer time needed for recovery.

This set of symptoms contrasts sharply with the positive outcomes described in the other choices, which suggest enhanced performance, energy, muscle gain, and motivation—none of which align with the physical and psychological toll that typically accompanies overtraining.