KEITH CHITTENDEN, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F
OVERTRAINING SYNDROME IN THE
TACTICAL ATHLETE
The tactical athlete always needs to be prepared for when duty
calls. Regardless of the specific population, tactical athletes are
expected to complete high levels of training in order to complete
the challenges that the job requires. However, excessive training
can be harmful to the tactical athlete as they prepare for a
mission. Rest and recovery is as vitally important to the tactical
athlete as is training in preparation for deployment.
Excessive aerobic and anaerobic exercise can be commonly
characterized as a condition known as overtraining syndrome
(4). Overtraining syndrome can be the result of large volumes of
exercise bouts (excess of 4 – 6 days a week of aerobic activity and
in excess of several hou