Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(9): 617-623
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1255029
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Functional Overreaching on Executive Functions

O. Dupuy1 , 2 , M. Renaud3 , L. Bherer3 , 4 , L. Bosquet1 , 2 , 3
  • 1Faculté des sciences du sport, Université de Poitiers, France
  • 2Département de kinésiologie, Université de Montréal, Canada
  • 3Centre de recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériologie de Montréal, Canada
  • 4Département de psychologie, Université du Québec, Montréal, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision May 03, 2010

Publication Date:
11 June 2010 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cognitive performance was a valid marker of overreaching. 10 well-trained male endurance athletes increased their training load by 100% for 2 weeks. They performed a maximal graded test, a constant speed test, a reaction time task and a computerized version of the Stroop color word-test before and after this overload period. Regarding performance results, five participants were considered as overreached and the five remaining were considered as well-trained. We found no significant differences between groups in performing the Stroop test. Noteworthy, we found a small increase in response time in the more complex condition in overreached athletes (1 188±261 to 1 297±231 ms, effect size=0.44), while it decreased moderately in the well-trained athletes (1 066±175 to 963±171 ms, effect size=−0.59). Furthermore, we found an interaction between time and group on initiation time of the reaction time task, since it increased in overreached athletes after the overload period (246±24 to 264±26 ms, p<0.05), while it remained unchanged in well-trained participants. Participants made very few anticipation errors, whatever the group or the period (error rate <2%).We concluded that an unaccustomed increase in training volume which is accompanied by a decrement in physical performance induces a deterioration of some executive functions.

Key words

overreaching - overtraining - cognitive performance - Stroop - reaction time

References

  • 1 Bherer L, Belleville S. Age-related differences in response preparation: the role of time uncertainty.  J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2004;  59 P66-P74
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Bohnen N, Twijnstra A, Jolles J. Performance in the Stroop color word test in relationship to the persistence of symptoms following mild head injury.  Acta Neurol Scand. 1992;  85 116-121
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Borg G. Psychological bases of perceived exertion.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;  14 377-387
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Bosquet L, Leger L, Legros P. Blood lactate response to overtraining in male endurance athletes.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001;  84 107-114
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Bosquet L, Merkari S, Arvisais D, Aubert A. Is heart rate a convenient tool to monitor over-reaching? A systematic review of the literature.  Br J Sports Med. 2008;  42 709-714
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences.. 2nd ed. Hillsdale: L. Erlbaum Associates; 1988
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 7 Currell K, Jeukendrup A. Validity, reliability and sensitivity of measures of sporting performance.  Sports Med. 2008;  38 297-316
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Duman RS, Monteggia LM. A neurotrophic model for stress-related mood disorders.  Biological Psychiatry. 2006;  59 1116-1127
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Fry RW, Morton AR, Garcia-Webb P, Crawford GPM, Keast D. Biological responses to overload training in endurance sports.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  64 335-344
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Goss JD. Hardiness and mood disturbances in swimmers while overtraining.  J Sport Exerc Psychol. 1994;  16
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Harriss D, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 12 Hooper SL, Mackinnon LT, Gordon RD, Bachmann AW. Hormonal responses of elite swimmers to overtraining.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 741-747
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Huszczuk A, Whipp BJ, Wasserman K. A respiratory gas exchange simulator for routine calibration in metabolic studies.  Eur Respir J. 1990;  3 465-468
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Hynynen E, Uusitalo A, Konttinen N, Rusko H. Heart rate variability during night sleep and after awakening in overtrained athletes.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;  38 313-317
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Hynynen E, Uusitalo A, Konttinen N, Rusko H. Cardiac autonomic responses to standing up and cognitive task in overtrained athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 2008;  29 552-558
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Kentta G, Hassmen P, Raglin JS. Mood state monitoring of training and recovery in elite kayakers.  Eur J Sport Sci. 2006;  6 245-253
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Koutedakis Y, Sharp NC. Seasonal variations of injury and overtraining in elite athletes.  Clin J Sport Med. 1998;  8 18-21
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Lemay S, Bedard M, Rouleau I, Tremblay P. Practice effect and test-retest reliability of attentional and executive tests in middle-aged to elderly subjects.  Clin Neuropsychol. 2004;  18 284-302
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Mac Nair D, Lorr M, Droppleman L. Profile of Mood States Manual.. San Diego: Educational and industrial testing service; 1971
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 20 Meeusen R. Overtraining and the central nervous system, the missing link?. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York; 1999: 187-202
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 21 Meeusen R, Duclos M, Gleeson M, Rietjens G, Steinacker J, Urhausen A. Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the Overtraining Syndrome.  Eur J Sport Sci. 2006;  6 1-14
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Meeusen R, Watson P, Hasegawa H, Roelands B, Piacentini MF. Brain neurotransmitters in fatigue and overtraining.  Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2007;  32 857-864
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Morgan W, Brown D, Raglin J, O’Connor P, Ellickson K. Psychological monitoring of overtraining and staleness.  Br J Sports Med. 1987;  21 107-114
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Mujika I, Padilla S. Scientific bases for precompetition tapering strategies.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 1182-1187
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Nederhof E, Lemmink K, Zwerver J, Mulder T. The effect of high load training on psychomotor speed.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 595-601
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Nederhof E, Lemmink KA, Visscher C, Meeusen R, Mulder T. Psychomotor speed: possibly a new marker for overtraining syndrome.  Sports Med. 2006;  36 817-828
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Nederhof E, Zwerver J, Brink M, Meeusen R, Lemmink K. Different diagnostic tools in nonfunctional overreaching.  Int J Sports Med. 2008;  29 590-597
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Newsholme E, Acworth I, Blomstrand E. Amino acids, brain neurotransmitters and a function link between muscle and brain that is important in sustained exercise.. Advances in Myochemistry, London: John Libbey Eurotext; 1987: 127-133
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 29 Raglin JS, Morgan WP. Development of a scale for use in monitoring training-induced distress in athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 84-88
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Raglin JS, Morgan WP, O’Connor PJ. Changes in mood states during training in female and male college swimmers.  Int J Sports Med. 1991;  12 585-589
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Rietjens G, Kuipers H, Adam JJ, Saris WH, van Breda E, van Hamont D, Keizer HA. Physiological, biochemical and psychological markers of strenuous training-induced fatigue.  Int J Sports Med. 2005;  26 16-26
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 Satz P. Brain reserve capacity on symptom onset after brain injury: a formulation and review of evidence for threshold theory.  Neuropsychol. 1993;  7 273-295
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 33 Stuss DT, Shallice T, Alexander MP, Picton TW. A multidisciplinary approach to anterior attentional functions.  Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1995;  769 191-211
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 34 Thayer JF, Hansen AL, Saus-Rose E, Johnsen BH. Heart rate variability, prefrontal neural function, and cognitive performance: The Neurovisceral Integration Perspective on Self-regulation, Adaptation, and Health.  Ann Behav Med. 2009;  37 141-153
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 35 Thomas L, Busso T. A theoretical study of taper characteristics to optimize performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37 1615-1621
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 36 Urhausen A, Gabriel HH, Weiler B, Kindermann W. Ergometric and psychological findings during overtraining: a long-term follow-up study in endurance athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 1998;  19 114-120
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 37 Urhausen A, Kindermann W. Diagnosis of overtraining. What tools do we have?.  Sports Med. 2002;  32 95-102
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 38 Verde T, Thomas S, Shephard R. Potential markers of heavy training in highly trained distance runners.  Br J Sports Med. 1992;  26 167-175
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Correspondence

Dr. Laurent Bosquet

Université de Poitiers

Faculté des sciences du sport

4 allée Jean Monnet

86000 Poitiers

France

Phone: +33/0549/454 115

Fax: +33/0549/453 396

Email: laurent.bosquet@gmail.com