PROTIME-FITNESS HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS

HEART RATE AND OVERTRAINING Overtraining in endurance athletes tends to affect both heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), two physiological markers widely used to track training stress and recovery. HRV Tends to Drop: Research consistently shows that HRV decreases with overtraining, signaling a shift toward more sympathetic (stress-related) activity and less parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity. This altered autonomic balance is a well-recognized sign of overtraining syndrome. Studies that used Poincaré plot analysis found that athletes suffering from overtraining displayed significantly lower HRV than control subjects, suggesting reduced vagal (parasympathetic) tone and a limited ability to recover from intense training ( Wiley Online Library ). Resting Heart Rate Increases: Overtrained athletes sometimes show an elevated resting heart rate, particularly in the morning. This uptick reflects higher sympathetic drive or insufficient recovery from prior training. Moni...

  CORTISOL AND OVERTRAINING Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, plays a key role in how the body responds to physical and psychological stress, including the demands of intense exercise. Overtraining syndrome (OTS) occurs when excessive training without enough recovery leads to a drop in performance, ongoing fatigue, and disruptions in several body systems, including cortisol regulation. Cortisol Levels and Patterns in Overtraining Research shows that cortisol levels in saliva and blood often rise during periods of heavy training, especially in athletes reporting symptoms of “staleness” or overtraining. For example, female swimmers in an overtrained state were found to have higher salivary cortisol levels than at their baseline, with these increases linked to worse mood and declining performance ( ScienceDirect ; British Journal of Sports Medicine ). Still, not every study finds elevated cortisol in all overtrained athletes. In some advanced or chroni...

TESTOSTERONE AND OVERTRAINING   Research has consistently shown that excessive training—especially when athletes don’t allow for enough recovery—can mess with hormonal balance, particularly in men. Overtraining, which involves pushing past normal training intensity and volume without letting your body sufficient time to rest, is known to cause a decline in testosterone levels. These drops are often paired with spikes in cortisol, the primary stress hormone, which push the body into a more muscle-breaking (catabolic) state instead of the muscle-building (anabolic) effects that testosterone usually supports. One of the earliest studies to examine this found that male athletes who overtrained saw their testosterone levels fall, and these levels didn’t bounce back for months after they got their training under control. The study also found a tight link between lower testosterone and higher cortisol, suggesting that these hormonal changes are not just a sign of overtraining but also a c...

BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION: THE ESSENTIALS   Breast self-examination (BSE) helps individuals become familiar with the everyday appearance and texture of their breasts, making it easier to detect changes that may require further attention. Though there’s debate over whether BSE actually reduces breast cancer deaths, it’s still used as a breast awareness tool, especially in places where access to regular clinical exams or mammograms is limited [Journal of Clinical Women's Health; BMC Women's Health]. How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination Best Timing: If you menstruate, the ideal time for BSE is a few days after your period ends, when your breasts are less likely to be swollen or sore. Select the same date each month, don't try to track those who don’t menstruate to maintain consistency [PLOS ONE]. Visual Check: Stand before a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Look for changes in shape, size, skin texture, or the appearance of your nipples. Then, ...

OVERTRAINING: CONSEQUENCES AND PREVENTION   Overtraining occurs when an individual exercises so intensely or frequently that they are unable to keep up with the demands for recovery. This isn't just about being sore after a challenging workout—overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a well-documented condition that takes a toll on the body and mind (ResearchGate; Wiley Online Library). Physiological Effects: Overtraining doesn't match training; the body starts to break down. Muscles recover more slowly, hormone levels (such as cortisol and testosterone) may shift, and the immune system weakens, leaving people more susceptible to illness or injury (ResearchGate; Wiley Online Library). If overtraining becomes chronic, it can lead to a reduction in muscle mass, a decline in metabolism, and even compromise the heart's ability to function optimally (Taylor & Francis; MDPI). Research also indicates issues in neuroendocrine and immune pathways, characterized by increased inflammation a...

TESTICULAR CANCER: SELF-EXAM Most Americans mistakenly believe that testicular cancer is a risk for older men, but the reality is different: it strikes men between 20 and 40 most often. According to a new survey by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, early detection makes all the difference, but confusion about symptoms and screening remains widespread. Testicular cancer affects nearly 10,000 adults in the U.S. every year, yet only 13% of adults surveyed correctly identified that it’s most common in men under 40. Even more telling, two-thirds of respondents thought screenings are only necessary after age 40, when doctors say self-exams matter most for men in their twenties and thirties. Dr. Shawn Dason, a urologic oncologist at OSUCCC – James, isn’t surprised by the confusion. “A lot of young men don’t expect to face something like this in their twenties or thirties,” he said. “They’re focused on their careers or everyday life, not their health.” The survey, which included 1,0...

 MUSCLE BUILDING IN WOMEN Muscle building in women is often misunderstood, but the science paints a much more nuanced—and encouraging—picture than most people realize. Baseline Differences: Women typically start with less muscle mass than men due to hormonal differences. Testosterone, present at higher levels in men, is a key driver for muscle growth and maintenance. On average, women have about 40% less upper body muscle than men. In contrast, the difference in lower body muscle is less pronounced for individuals of similar age and activity (Journal of Applied Physiology). This doesn't mean can't—it simply means they're from a different starting point. Muscle Growth Response to Training: Interestingly, when women and men follow the same resistance training programs, their relative improvements in muscle size and strength are similar. While women may not reach the same absolute levels of muscle mass or strength as men, the percentage gains from their starting points are jus...