Burnout—the overwhelming fatigue an athlete experiences from training or competition, resulting in a lack of interest or resentment towards their respective sport—is becoming more common among athletes of all ages. In fact, athletes as young as 13—and 70% of them, at that—are dropping out due to burnout.
We’ve all seen this phenomenon before—the incredible athlete that was supposed to get a full-ride athletic scholarship at a D1 school, the athlete that could have gone pro, the athlete who…suddenly quit? With burnout levels increasing across the board, it’s imperative for athletic directors to be able to understand burnout, as well as understand the role you play in creating systems and environments that prevent it.
Understanding Burnout
Burnout is more than a loss of interest; it’s a mental condition caused by chronic stress in competitive environments. It is more complicated than just physical tiredness; this is a multifaceted condition characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion, a reduced sense of accomplishment and the devaluation of sport participation.
Triggers for burnout range from overtraining and lack of recovery, high expectations and perfectionism, lack of autonomy and supportive environments, and injuries (and their psychological toll.)
The Stages of Burnout
Luckily, burnout doesn’t happen all at once. There are significant stages in this process, and a variety of warning signs that athletic directors, coaches and athletic trainers can look out for:
Stage 1: Early Signs
Athletes may experience increased stress and reduced motivation. Promoting rest, recovery and healthy boundaries can help ease these symptoms.
Stage 2: Chronic Stress
A decline in performance and emotional well-being can be noticed in athletes. At this stage, it’s important to adjust workloads, reinforce team values and encourage self-care.
Stage 3: Full Burnout
At full burnout, an athlete experiences total physical and mental exhaustion and completely loses interest or excitement for their sport. During this time, it’s recommended for the athlete to seek professional support and implement life changes, while athletic staff can help with the commitment for long-term recovery.
Unique Risks in Athletic Programs
Youth Sports Specialization
The pressure to specialize and excel in a certain sport early in an athlete’s career can lead to mental and physical fatigue.
High School v. College Burnout
Any athlete playing for an educational institution may experience fatigue from trying to balance athletics, academics and personal life—even more so if the student works part time.
In high school, athletes could face increasing pressure on securing athletic scholarships. Additionally, many high school athletes notably participate in club or league sports outside of school to gain an additional edge.
In college, athletes may be burdened by increased expectations for scholarships, NIL navigation, excessive travel and the pressure to plan for life after graduation.
Cultural Factors
Competitive environments that promote winning over all else, that require an athlete’s full schedule and attention can lead to burnout.
The Role of Coaches in Burnout Prevention
- Individualized coaching—tailoring coaching to fit each athlete’s specific needs—is a great way to prevent burnout by making each athlete feel seen.
- By building open communication, coaches can foster a safe environment for athletes to express concerns, issues and fears.
- Prevention can also start with recognizing symptoms early. By encouraging coaches and staff to familiarize themselves with the signs of burnout, they can intervene effectively and work with the athlete to prevent burnout.
- Finally, promoting rest and recovery (mental and physical) across the staff can ease the stress and pressure athletes feel.
The Athletic Director’s Role
- By creating a supportive culture: emphasizing well-being over performance and implementing policies to balance training demands with mental health needs, athletic directors can begin preventing burnout before it occurs.
- Providing resources (access to sports psychologists, mentorship programs and wellness initiatives) is essential for supporting athletes experiencing burnout. Make sure to monitor each team’s workload to make sure athletes do not exceed appropriate training limits.
- By hosting workshops and providing actionable information to parents, coaches and educators on recognizing and preventing burnout, you can effectively educate all stakeholders.
- Data-driven tools and surveys or questionnaires like the ABQ (Athlete Burnout Questionnaire) can help directly and accurately measure impact.
Burnout is not simple. It’s not cut and dry. There are a million reasons for why burnout could happen, yet there is no proven reason why some athletes are more prone to it than others. Regardless, it’s a serious issue that plagues athletic communities, and as an athletic director, you have a pivotal role to play in reversing this trend. You are not only a leader but a guardian of your athletes’ well-being. By fostering environments where mental health is prioritized over medals, educating all necessary stakeholders and providing actionable resources, you can create a culture that doesn’t just win games but protects the hearts and minds of those who play them.
Finally, I urge you to look past metrics, past wins and losses, and remember why sports exist: to bring joy, camaraderie and growth. They are supposed to be fun, not akin to a full-time job. Remind your athletes why they fell in love with the game in the first place—and remind yourself the same. As an athletic director, you have the power to redefine the narrative in your program. Let’s work together to make sports a source of passion, not pressure.
