Why allostasis matters for athlete performance and preparation in elite sport
By
Asker Jeukendrup
Summary
This article challenges the conventional sports science view that "training load" refers only to physical training. It introduces the concept of allostasis — the body's dynamic process of maintaining stability through change in response to total life demands (training, stress, sleep, nutrition, life events). The author argues that elite sport must account for the athlete's total allostatic load, not just training volume, to optimize performance, prevent overtraining, and support long-term athlete health. The piece bridges neuroscience, physiology, and practical coaching applications.
Source
Twitter / XWhy allostasis matters for athlete performance and preparation in elite sportmssa.appKey quotes
· 3 pulledWe often talk about 'load' as if it means training and only training. In reality, the athlete doesn't experience training in isolation.
The body (and brain) respond to total demand.
Allostasis is essential to sport performance, but is often overlooked in sport science.
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