Which stage is associated with overtraining?

• A. Exhaustion stage
• B. Alarm stage
• C. Resistance stage
• D. Supercompensation

Answer: (A)

Overtraining happens when the training stress piles up faster than the body can recover, leading to a depletion of energy and resources and a decline in performance. This fits the exhaustion stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, where prolonged or excessive stress overwhelms the body's coping systems and COPES fail, resulting in persistent fatigue, mood changes, increased illness risk, and reduced performance.

The alarm stage is the initial fight-or-flight response to a new or heavy stimulus, usually followed by adaptation if the load isn’t overwhelming. The resistance stage is when the body adapts to the ongoing load, often improving efficiency and performance. Supercompensation is the planned rebound and adaptation after a rest period, aiming for a higher capacity. Overtraining is not these stages of adaptation; it represents a breakdown after chronic stress during the exhaustion phase.