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Physiological Adaptation Threshold

Meaning

The Physiological Adaptation Threshold defines the upper limit of stress—physical, emotional, or metabolic—that an individual’s body can endure before the stressor shifts from promoting beneficial adaptation (e.g., muscle growth, improved cardiorespiratory fitness) to inducing maladaptation, pathology, or systemic breakdown. Exceeding this threshold, often characterized by chronic overtraining or unmanaged psychological stress, leads to a state of allostatic overload and subsequent hormonal dysregulation. Identifying and respecting this individual threshold is crucial for sustainable performance and long-term health.