How is overload defined in a training context?

In a training context, overload is defined as making the body work harder than it is accustomed to. This principle is fundamental to developing strength and endurance. By progressively increasing the demands placed on the body's systems—whether through increased weights, intensity, duration, or frequency—athletes stimulate physiological adaptations that lead to improved performance.

When the body is exposed to greater-than-normal stress, it responds by adapting to meet the new demands. This can include muscle hypertrophy (growth), enhanced cardiovascular efficiency, and improved skill performance. Adequate recovery is also vital; without it, there is a risk of overtraining, which could lead to injury or diminished performance.

While the concept of overtraining speaks to the negative effects of excessive training without adequate recovery, carbohydrate loading refers to a strategy used by endurance athletes to maximize glycogen stores prior to an event. Carrying more weight than necessary might offer some training benefits but is not a definitive aspect of the overload principle.

Thus, the definition emphasizing the necessity of making the body endure greater challenges than it typically experiences is key to understanding how training adaptations occur.