Final answer:
Exercise overload should be increased gradually to prevent injuries and facilitate muscle growth and adaptation. It is crucial to balance the intensity of the training with proper rest periods to avoid overstrain and maximize the effectiveness of strength training.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exercise overload should indeed be increased gradually during training to avoid the risk of overuse injuries. For effective strength training, one must progressively increase the intensity of exercise to continue gaining muscle mass and strength. This principle is known as progressive overload. However, increasing the load too quickly or without sufficient rest can lead to muscle and joint injuries, or even more severe conditions such as scarring of the heart and amenorrhea in females.
To prevent such outcomes and optimize training results, it is essential to balance workout intensity with proper rest periods. This allows the muscles to recover and adapt to the increased demands, facilitating growth without overstrain. Starting with moderate activity and steadily enhancing the duration or intensity is the key to avoiding overuse injuries and ensuring sustainable progress in one's exercise regimen.