Crossing the Line
by Khyle Radke, ATC, EMT
Exertion comes with the territory for industrial athletes. All of the daily activities and responsibilities require repeated physical demand and effort. So where does exertion cross the line into overexertion?
Overexertion occurs when an individual pushes their body or mind past its current capacity without adequate recovery, resulting in physical or mental strain. It can show up through physical, cognitive, and emotional signals that indicate the body is struggling with the demands being placed on it. Overexertion isn’t just a problem in the traditional sports world. It can also affect those working in the industrial setting. The key is knowing what those signals feel like and when they’re telling you to back off.
Warning Signs
Physical symptoms of overexertion can include aching, sharp, burning, tingling, or throbbing sensations in muscles, tendons, or joints.
Physical exhaustion, feeling drained during activity, and reduced performance are other signs to watch for. Dizziness, overheating, excessive sweating, an elevated pulse, or abdominal or chest discomfort are also reasons to stop and pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Mental and emotional indicators can include difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, agitation, restlessness, or feeling mentally drained. Sleep disturbances, trouble falling asleep, waking up tired, and even insomnia or frequent nighttime awakenings, become common because high stress hormones prevent a transition into a restful sleep state.
When the Line Becomes a Dot
Pushing past warning signs can increase injury risk as strength, coordination, and movement quality begin to suffer. This can contribute to strains and sprains, while repeated or excessive force can aggravate muscles, tendons, and joints.
Overexertion can also show up as the injury itself. A forceful or awkward movement that exceeds what the body is prepared to handle can turn exertion into an injury in a single moment.
Prevention & Recovery
Recognizing the signs early gives you an opportunity to adjust before overexertion becomes an injury.
Before Work: Check for fatigue, soreness, dehydration, or pre-existing aches that could reduce your capacity. What you can safely handle may vary from day to day.
During Work: Pay attention to changes during the workday. If warning signs begin to appear, back off. Take a break, switch tasks when possible, hydrate, adjust your technique, or ask for help.
After Work: Give your body time to recover. with adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition. If symptoms persist or don’t improve with rest, don’t ignore them.
The line between exertion and overexertion won’t always be in the same place. Knowing where it is today starts with paying attention to what your body is telling you.
Khyle Radke, ATC, EMT || Khyle is an eight-year U.S. Army veteran with 26 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer and 32 years as an EMT-B. A South Dakota State University graduate, he spent 25 years covering high school athletics before joining Work Right in 2026 to work with industrial athletes.
Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right!