When should changes in training loads be implemented to prevent overtraining?

Implementing changes in training loads prior to a major competition is crucial for maximizing performance while minimizing the risk of overtraining. As athletes approach competition, they often experience heightened physical and mental stress. Adjusting training loads at this stage helps manage fatigue and allows the body to recover adequately, ensuring the athlete is in peak condition on competition day. This period, often referred to as tapering, involves gradually reducing training intensity and volume to allow for recovery without losing fitness.

In contrast, making changes before the season starts, during periods of injury, or after the season ends may not adequately address the specific stresses and demands that athletes face as they prepare for a key competition. Adjustments made at those times might not effectively help in optimizing performance, since they are either too far removed from the immediate competitive context or necessitated by recovery rather than performance optimization. Thus, the timing of adjustments to training loads is essential in maintaining athlete health and enhancing performance when it matters most.