Getting past over training

[Dragonno]

This post is directed toward Mr. Kurz or another individual who may have experience in this application.
My question is in direct regard to the latest installment of 'Stretch Yourself' on the Stadion web site.
In detailing the three methods of gradual load increase, it is found and mentioned at the end of the article that an athletes progress stops around 1 year of training, depending of course on the individual characteristics of the training program. There are listed hypothesis for the loss of temporary adaptability. All are valid possibilities. My question is two fold.
First, do I understand the article correctly in stating that by detraining for a period of around two weeks that an athlete may restore the adaptability processes and begin again to increase training loads?
Second, I have found that simply stimulating the mind by visual methods during the detraining time or even shortly before reaching the peak of exhausted abilities, somehow re-engages the ability to accept greater loads and begin or continue to train in a much faster time period than stated. One of the possible reasons I have noted this, may indeed be that the athlete in study did not actually attain the mentioned exhaustion level, but rather a completion of an overtrained cycle. However, in my experiences with such individuals, allowing them to detrain for shortened cycles, (around three to seven days), while undertaking a visual position of "trainer" or "observer", with similar level athletes, has seemingly stimulated the body toward a faster recovery most likely due to biological chemical response. I have nothing documented nor experience enough to hypothesize further. Any light you may shed would be very valuable and welcomed.
Highest regards,
Jim Vessey/dragonno@yahoo.com

[Thomas Kurz]

First, do I understand the article correctly in stating that by detraining for a period of around two weeks that an athlete may restore the adaptability processes and begin again to increase training loads?

Yes.

Second, I have found that simply stimulating the mind by visual methods during the detraining time or even shortly before reaching the peak of exhausted abilities, somehow re-engages the ability to accept greater loads and begin or continue to train in a much faster time period than stated. One of the possible reasons I have noted this, may indeed be that the athlete in study did not actually attain the mentioned exhaustion level, but rather a completion of an overtrained cycle. However, in my experiences with such individuals, allowing them to detrain for shortened cycles, (around three to seven days), while undertaking a visual position of "trainer" or "observer", with similar level athletes, has seemingly stimulated the body toward a faster recovery most likely due to biological chemical response. I have nothing documented nor experience enough to hypothesize further. Any light you may shed would be very valuable and welcomed.

Interesting--a possibility of speeding up recovery by observing others' workouts while resting or detraining. This actually happens often when motivated athletes are injured or just too tired to work out. BTW, good coaches know that watching good athletes practice speeds up learning of skills.

About short detraining periods: See articles on tapering and on periodization in Stadion News (Spring 2005 and Winter 2005) at http://www.stadion.com/freebies.html .

[Dragonno]

My humble thanks for your enlightenment.
Dragonno