• Training can be seen on a continuum:
• Good Side 🌈: Overreaching → Desired training effects
• Danger Zone 🌪: Overtraining → Negative effects if not planned

• It's the nasty aftermath of unchecked overtraining!
• Think of it like this: You love candy. A few pieces now and then is awesome (overreaching). But if you binge too much, too fast? You get a tummy ache (staleness).

• When your body is like, "Hey, I can't handle this stress!" (either mentally or physically or both).
• Despite hitting the gym, track, or pool with even more enthusiasm, you might:
  • Hit a performance plateau 📉 or,
  • See your performance dip 📉 even more!
• Real-world Example: Ever tried studying SUPER hard before a big test? Instead of getting smarter, your brain turns to mush and you can't remember anything? That's kinda like staleness but for your body.

• American Medical Association (1966) says:

"Staleness = physiological state of overtraining leading to poorer athletic readiness."