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Table 3 Clinical and biochemical behaviors independently modified by overtraining syndrome (OTS)

From: Novel causes and consequences of overtraining syndrome: the EROS-DISRUPTORS study

Parameters modified by the presence of OTS

p of the influence of OTS a

Level of influence of the presence of OTS a

(Adjusted R-Square)

Other variables that may also influence

Equation for the estimation of the parameter level in male athletes

Late ACTH response to an ITT (30’after hypoglycaemia) (pg/mL)

0.002

19.9%

none

n/a

Late cortisol response (30’after hypoglycaemia) (μg/dL)

0.0005

26.1%

none

Cortisol (μg/dL) = 17.86–3.81(if OTS)

Cortisol response to an ITT (μg/dL)

0.002

22.0%

none

n/a

Late GH response (30’after hypoglycaemia) (μg/L)

0.001

23.0%

none

n/a

Testosterone-to-oestadiol ratio (T/E)

0.0002

30.7%

none

T/E = 14.1 + 12.9 (if OTS)

POMS vigour subscale

< 0.0001

83.6%

Sleep quality

POMS vigour subscale = 3.7 + 1.15x(sleep quality) – 11.96(if OTS)

POMS fatigue subscale

< 0.0001

85.7%

Sleep quality

POMS fatigue subscale = 24.5–0.9 x(sleep quality) + 15.3(if OTS)

POMS tension subscale

< 0.0001

42.8%

none

Not able to be estimated 

Visceral fat (cm2)

0.002

38.2%

Protein and overall calorie intake

Visceral fat = 47.4–11.9x(protein intake) + 1.3x(calorie intake) + 45.1(if OTS)

Muscle mass (%)

0.028

33.7%

Protein intake

Muscle mass = 47.84 + 1.42x(protein intake) – 3.47(if OTS)

Body water (%)

0.001

50.5%

Protein and overall calorie intake

Body water = 60.75 + 1.69x(protein intake) – 0.12x(calorie intake) - 5.77(if OTS)

Neutrophils (/mm3)

0.015

13.8%

Calorie intake

Neutrophils = 4210–60.7x(calorie intake) + 154.4x(CHO intake) -1724(if OTS)

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

0.015

13.6%

none

Ratio = 2.00–1.32(if OTS)

  1. CHO Carbohydrate, ITT Insulin tolerant test, POMS Profile of mood states, BMR Basal metabolic rate, T/E Testosterone-to-oestradiol, OTS Overtraining syndrome’, n/a non applicables (non-normal distribution)
  2. Calorie intake = kcal/kg/day, CHO intake = g(CHO)/kg/day; protein intake = g(protein)/kg/day; extra activities = working and/or studying hours besides training, sleep quality = self-reported sleep quality (0 to 10)
  3. aOther minor influences may also reflect the p-value and the level of influence