Athletes participating in elite sports are exposed to high training loads and increasingly
saturated competition calendars. Emerging evidence indicates that poor load management
is a major risk factor for injury. The International Olympic Committee convened an expert
group to review the scientific evidence for the relationship of load (defined broadly to include
rapid changes in training and competition load, competition calendar congestion,
psychological load and travel) and health outcomes in sport. We summarise the results …

The modern-day athlete participating in elite sports is exposed to high training loads and
increasingly saturated competition calendar. Emerging evidence indicates that inappropriate
load management is a significant risk factor for acute illness and the overtraining syndrome.
The IOC convened an expert group to review the scientific evidence for the relationship of
load—including rapid changes in training and competition load, competition calendar
congestion, psychological load and travel—and health outcomes in sport. This paper …