Exploring yoga as a comprehensive tool for counteracting the physical and psychological strains of overtraining syndrome: A hypothesis

ABSTRACT Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a condition of decreased athlete’s sports performance and well-being due to imbalance in training intensity, diet, and resting period. This imbalance can cause symptoms such as disrupted sleep, irritability, restlessness, increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty in concentrating, muscle stiffness, anxiety, mood swings, lack of motivation, and amenorrhea. The primary treatment for OTS is rest for around 2–3 months, which can impact an athlete’s career significantly. The practice of yoga helps to improve physical (strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance), mental (self-esteem, better handling of stress, anxiety, anger, frustration, depression, and failures), moral, and spiritual planes to improve the overall well-being of the sports personals. Hence, yoga can be considered an important tool to alleviate OTS symptoms and helps to promote speedy recovery and improve overall well-being.