What is the effect of consistent overreaching in training?

Consistent overreaching in training can lead to a plateau in athletic development. This occurs when an athlete continually pushes their limits without allowing adequate recovery or adaptation time. In this state of overreaching, the body does not have the opportunity to repair and strengthen itself, which can result in a stagnation of performance improvements. Instead of progressing, the athlete finds themselves unable to advance further in their training, as their physiological systems become overwhelmed and fatigued. This plateau may prevent the realization of gains from past training efforts, indicating that a delicate balance of stress and recovery is essential for continuous improvement in athletic performance.