Which of the following is NOT one of the three strategies to avoid overtraining?

• A. Gradual increase of training
• B. Balanced diet
• C. Hydration
• D. Proper rest and recovery

Answer: (C)

Preventing overtraining comes from balancing how hard you train with how well you recover and fuel your body. Gradual increases in training load give your body time to adapt and reduce excessive fatigue. Proper rest and recovery, including rest days and adequate sleep, let energy stores replenish and tissues repair, preventing fatigue from accumulating. A balanced diet provides enough calories and nutrients to support training and recovery, helping you maintain energy, support muscle repair, and avoid nutrient deficits that slow adaptation. Hydration is important for performance and recovery, but it’s not one of the three strategies typically listed to avoid overtraining. It should be included as part of overall training hygiene, but the triad of preventing overtraining focuses on progressive overload, rest, and nutrition. So the option that doesn’t fit is hydration.