BURNOUT IN ATHLETES:Overtraining and Overreaching, Recommended Intervention

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Sport Psychology(psy407)

Lesson 43

BURNOUT IN ATHLETES

Too much exercise can result in a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system to fight disease and

an increase in negative psychological mood. In a very practical away, exercise can be considered along a

continuum from not enough exercise to too much exercise. Negative psychological and biological outcomes

are associated with too little and too much exercise. Over-training in athletes represents a paradox, because

many of the benefits associated with exercise are reversed in the athlete who trains too much. For the

athlete, the question of how much is too much is a complex one. Athletes are continually challenging the

delicate balance between training and overtraining, since high levels of training are required for success in

sport.

The lecture is divided into four sections that include:

Defining burnout and other terms

Models of burnout

Symptoms and interventions for burnout

Recommendations for athletes, coaches, and parents.

Defining Burnout and Other Related Terms

Burnout in sport and exercise is "a syndrome of physical/emotional exhaustion, sport devaluation, and

reduced athletic accomplishment". As can be observed, the focus of this particular definition of burnout is

upon physical and mental exhaustion, reduced interest in sport, and reduced performance. Common terms

include overtraining, overreaching, staleness, and withdrawal.

Overtraining and Overreaching

Overtraining implies that the athlete trains beyond the level that is ideal for maximum benefit. Overtraining

is maladaptive behavior that may lead to staleness and burnout. Overreaching is a form of short-term

overtraining that is a part of normal training. Overreaching that extends for long periods of time at high

intensities eventually becomes overtraining. Staleness is the initial failure of the body to adapt to training.

Models of Burnout

We will look at three different models of burnout. They are:

The stress model

The investment model

The sociologically based empowerment model

Stress Model of Burnout

The combination of staleness, overtraining, and burnout are referred to as the training stress syndrome. If

the training stress syndrome is not reversed through rest or some other creative intervention, the end result

will be withdrawal from sport (sport drop-out)

Thus, burnout is viewed as a response to chronic stress. It is characterized by psychological, emotional, and

perhaps physical withdrawal from a sport or activity the athlete formerly pursued and enjoyed.

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Sport Psychology(psy407)

Investment Model of Burnout

In its simplest form, investment model of burnout can be viewed as an imbalance between the costs and

benefits associated with athletic participation. In its more complete form, it is conceptualized as being a

function of five determinants of commitment to sport involvement. The five determinants are, reward,

costs, satisfaction, investment and alternative. How the athlete evaluates these five determinants will

determine whether his commitment is based upon enjoyment or entrapment. If sport commitment is based

upon enjoyment, the athlete will participate enthusiastically. If sport commitment is based upon

entrapment, it is only a matter of time before burnout sets in and the athlete withdraws from sport.

Empowerment Model of Burnout

Empowerment model of burnout is based on the notion that burnout in sport is a social problem caused by

an overly controlling and constraining social structure. The model suggests that burnout in sport occurs in

connection with two conditions:

1. When the sport experience is so constraining that the young person is unable to develop a desirable

alternate identity, the athlete seeks to liberate himself from sport.

2. When the social organization of sport is so structured that the athlete comes to believe that he has no

control over his life, the athlete seeks to liberate himself from sport.

Symptoms of Burnout and Interventions

There are two sets of symptoms that include physiological and psychological symptoms of burnout.

Physiological symptoms include:

Increased resting and exercise heart rate

Increased resting systolic blood pressure

Increased muscle soreness and chronic muscle fatigue

Increased presence of biochemical indicators of stress in the blood

Increased sleep loss

Increased colds and respiratory infections

Decreased body weight

Decreased maximal aerobic power

Decreased muscle glycogen

10.

Decreased libido and appetite

Psychological symptoms include:

Increased mood disturbances

Increased perception of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion

Decreased self-esteem

Negative change in the quality of personal interaction with others (cynicism, lack of feeling,

impersonal relating)

Negative cumulative reaction to chronic everyday stress as opposed to acute doses of stress.

Recommended Intervention

The first and primary step in addressing burnout is self-awareness. The athlete must first recognize he is

suffering from burnout and communicate his feeling to a sympathetic parent, coach, or sport psychologist.

The second step is to take time off from the offending activity. In the final and third step, relaxation

strategies may be beneficial as coping strategies for reversing the debilitating effects of stress and burnout.

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Sport Psychology(psy407)

Recommendations for Athletes, Coaches, and Parents

Below are some recommendations for players, coaches and parents on how to avoid burnout.

Recommendations for Players:

Play for your own reasons.

Balance sports with other things in life.

If it is not fun then don't do it.

Try to make practice as fun.

Relax and take time off occasionally.

Recommendations for Coaches

Cultivate personal involvement with player.

Establish two-way communication with athlete.

Solicit and utilize player input.

Work to understand player feelings and perspective.

Recommendations for Parents

Recognize the optimal amount of "pushing" needed.

Back off and lessen involvement.

Reduce importance of winning.

Show support and empathy for child's efforts.

Don't coach if not the coach, and separate roles if you are the coach.

Solicit child's input

References

Cox, H. Richard. (2002). Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications. (Fifth Edition). New York:

McGraw-Hill Companies

Lavallec. D., Kremer, J., Moran, A., & Williams. M. (2004) Sports Psychology: Contemporary Themes. New

York: Palgrave Macmillan Publishers

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