Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics

Purpose. To study the characteristic features of overtraining syndrome (OTS) in bodybuilding in athletes with different resistance levels and to identify informative blood biomarkers to diagnose disadaptation. Material & Methods. 90 people aged 22±1.3 years, with experience in strength traini...

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Main Authors: Vadym Koval, Anatolii Tsos, Oleh Olkhovyi, Kateryna Drobot, Andrii Chernozub, Vladimir Potop
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture 2025-04-01
Series:Фізична реабілітація та рекреаційно-оздоровчі технології
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Online Access:https://phrir.com/journal/article/view/345
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author Vadym Koval
Anatolii Tsos
Oleh Olkhovyi
Kateryna Drobot
Andrii Chernozub
Vladimir Potop
author_facet Vadym Koval
Anatolii Tsos
Oleh Olkhovyi
Kateryna Drobot
Andrii Chernozub
Vladimir Potop
author_sort Vadym Koval
collection DOAJ
description Purpose. To study the characteristic features of overtraining syndrome (OTS) in bodybuilding in athletes with different resistance levels and to identify informative blood biomarkers to diagnose disadaptation. Material & Methods. 90 people aged 22±1.3 years, with experience in strength training of 3.2±0.5 years, were examined. 3 groups (30 people each) were created. Group A – bodybuilders who, according to the medical examination results, had no contraindications (HBM). Group B – bodybuilders with symptoms of functional exhaustion (BFE). Group C – healthy men engaged in power fitness (HMF). By analyzing biochemical blood markers (CPK, LDH, cortisol, and testosterone), the characteristics of adaptive and compensatory responses to test exertions were identified (Ra=0.64 and Ra=0.74). Control was carried out at the beginning of the study and after 14 days of high-intensity strength training (HIRT). Results. The study showed that the baseline levels of the monitored biochemical blood parameters in HBM, BFE, and HMF participants were within the normal reference range. Despite the growth of the baseline level of CPK, LDH, and cortisol in the blood in bodybuilders of the HBM and BFE groups after two weeks of using HIRT, the values remained within the reference range. The determination of functional overreaching (FOR) in the HBM and HMF groups was made possible through the analysis of results showing a 50-53% increase in CPK and a 23-26% rise in cortisol levels in response to high-intensity loads (Ra=0.74). Based on the analysis of changes in LDH and cortisol levels in the blood in response to strength loads, it was possible to detect non-functional overreaching (NFOR) in BFE, HBM, and HMF groups. In individuals diagnosed with NFOR, even in response to loads under conditions of the creatine phosphokinase energy supply mechanism, there is a significant increase in LDH (30–47%) and cortisol (75–107%). In response to test loads, regardless of their intensity or type of anaerobic energy supply, there was a simultaneous increase in CPK (143-173%), LDH (66–92%), and a decrease in cortisol (46–54%) in BFI individuals suspected of having OTS. Conclusions. The proposed mechanism for identifying FOR, NFOR, and OTS during bodybuilding training, based on evaluating the nature of changes in the body’s adaptive-compensatory responses to a stress stimulus, is a tool for monitoring disadaptation. The results indicate that, for diagnosing OTS in HBM, BFE, and HMF athletes, the baseline levels of CPK, LDH, cortisol, and testosterone in the blood are not informative biomarkers. Using test loads (Ra=0.64 and Ra=0.74) as stress stimuli for the HBM, BFE, and HMF groups allows for identifying short-term adaptation or compensatory response manifestations based on the acute response of blood biomarkers.
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series Фізична реабілітація та рекреаційно-оздоровчі технології
spelling doaj-art-bba135decf9e400bb88eee5d5f60e0f22025-08-20T03:28:40ZengKharkiv State Academy of Physical CultureФізична реабілітація та рекреаційно-оздоровчі технології2522-19062025-04-0110210811910.15391/prrht.2025-10(2).06Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnosticsVadym Koval0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4659-8819Anatolii Tsos1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7824-9768Oleh Olkhovyi2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5223-5229Kateryna Drobot3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1421-2464Andrii Chernozub4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6293-8422Vladimir Potop5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8571-2469Private Higher Education Establishment “Academician Stepan Demianchuk International University of Economics and HumanitieLesya Ukrainka Volyn National UniversityKharkiv State Academy of Physical CultureKherson State UniversityLesya Ukrainka Volyn National UniversityUniversity Center PiteștiPurpose. To study the characteristic features of overtraining syndrome (OTS) in bodybuilding in athletes with different resistance levels and to identify informative blood biomarkers to diagnose disadaptation. Material & Methods. 90 people aged 22±1.3 years, with experience in strength training of 3.2±0.5 years, were examined. 3 groups (30 people each) were created. Group A – bodybuilders who, according to the medical examination results, had no contraindications (HBM). Group B – bodybuilders with symptoms of functional exhaustion (BFE). Group C – healthy men engaged in power fitness (HMF). By analyzing biochemical blood markers (CPK, LDH, cortisol, and testosterone), the characteristics of adaptive and compensatory responses to test exertions were identified (Ra=0.64 and Ra=0.74). Control was carried out at the beginning of the study and after 14 days of high-intensity strength training (HIRT). Results. The study showed that the baseline levels of the monitored biochemical blood parameters in HBM, BFE, and HMF participants were within the normal reference range. Despite the growth of the baseline level of CPK, LDH, and cortisol in the blood in bodybuilders of the HBM and BFE groups after two weeks of using HIRT, the values remained within the reference range. The determination of functional overreaching (FOR) in the HBM and HMF groups was made possible through the analysis of results showing a 50-53% increase in CPK and a 23-26% rise in cortisol levels in response to high-intensity loads (Ra=0.74). Based on the analysis of changes in LDH and cortisol levels in the blood in response to strength loads, it was possible to detect non-functional overreaching (NFOR) in BFE, HBM, and HMF groups. In individuals diagnosed with NFOR, even in response to loads under conditions of the creatine phosphokinase energy supply mechanism, there is a significant increase in LDH (30–47%) and cortisol (75–107%). In response to test loads, regardless of their intensity or type of anaerobic energy supply, there was a simultaneous increase in CPK (143-173%), LDH (66–92%), and a decrease in cortisol (46–54%) in BFI individuals suspected of having OTS. Conclusions. The proposed mechanism for identifying FOR, NFOR, and OTS during bodybuilding training, based on evaluating the nature of changes in the body’s adaptive-compensatory responses to a stress stimulus, is a tool for monitoring disadaptation. The results indicate that, for diagnosing OTS in HBM, BFE, and HMF athletes, the baseline levels of CPK, LDH, cortisol, and testosterone in the blood are not informative biomarkers. Using test loads (Ra=0.64 and Ra=0.74) as stress stimuli for the HBM, BFE, and HMF groups allows for identifying short-term adaptation or compensatory response manifestations based on the acute response of blood biomarkers.https://phrir.com/journal/article/view/345overtraining syndromebodybuildingdisadaptationbiochemical blood parametersenergy supplyload
spellingShingle Vadym Koval
Anatolii Tsos
Oleh Olkhovyi
Kateryna Drobot
Andrii Chernozub
Vladimir Potop
Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
Фізична реабілітація та рекреаційно-оздоровчі технології
overtraining syndrome
bodybuilding
disadaptation
biochemical blood parameters
energy supply
load
title Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
title_full Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
title_fullStr Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
title_full_unstemmed Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
title_short Overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
title_sort overtraining syndrome in bodybuilding and the difficulty of searching for informative biomarkers for disadaptation diagnostics
topic overtraining syndrome
bodybuilding
disadaptation
biochemical blood parameters
energy supply
load
url https://phrir.com/journal/article/view/345
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