Author(s): KURAMOCHI, R., KUSANAGI, K., Institution: CHUKYO UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 2712

INTRODUCTION:
Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) is a condition characterized by chronic fatigue, decreased athletic performance, sleep disorders, and emotional instability resulting from accumulated physical and mental stress. Recent research highlights neuroendocrine disturbances and significant drops in testosterone as key factors. Additionally, the difficulty of communicating internal discomfort is noted as a psychological risk factor that can lead athletes to ignore or worsen their condition. This study aimed to clarify practical support methods for recovery by examining the case of a top university swimmer through physiological, psychological, and narrative analyses.
METHODS:
This single-case study focused on a 21-year-old male collegiate swimmer (a former national champion) who experienced a severe performance decline. Over a four-month period, the recovery process was evaluated using a mixed-methods approach,:
1. Physiological: Measurement of blood testosterone levels, 150m interval times, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate levels.
2. Psychological: Assessment via the J-PATEA to compare the subject's psychological competitive ability against student-athlete averages.
3. Narrative: Semi-structured interviews to extract major themes related to psychological and physiological changes.
RESULTS:
• Physiological: Following the implementation of low-intensity training, blood testosterone levels showed a significant recovery. Average 150m interval times improved by 3.78% without a corresponding increase in heart rate or lactate levels, indicating recovery progress without excessive physical strain.
• Psychological (J-PATEA): The athlete showed high scores in motivation (+3.25) and life management (+3.45), but significantly low scores in concentration (-1.72) and objectivity (-2.50).
• Narrative: Qualitative analysis revealed four categories: (1) excessive self-management with subjective bias, (2) poor expression of internal conflict, (3) increased anxiety due to a lack of desired support, and (4) the importance of dialogue in promoting self-reflection,.
CONCLUSION:
The findings suggest that the athlete's high self-regulation, combined with a lack of objectivity and difficulty in self-disclosure, contributed to the development of OTS,. The recovery process demonstrated that training appropriately adjusted for intensity is effective for physiological restoration. Furthermore, the narrative process—"speaking, noticing, and changing"—through dialogue played a vital role in both psychological stability and physiological improvement. An integrated approach that reconciles objective data with the athlete’s subjective narrative is essential for effective OTS recovery.