CHAPTER 21CHAPTER 21
Burnout and OvertrainingBurnout and Overtraining
Session OutlineSession Outline
The Prevalence of Burnout and Overtraining The Prevalence of Burnout and Overtraining
Defining Periodized Training, Overtraining, Staleness, and Burnout
Defining Periodized Training, Overtraining, Staleness, and Burnout
Frequency of Overtraining and Staleness Frequency of Overtraining and Staleness
Models of Burnout Models of Burnout
Factors Leading to Athlete Burnout Factors Leading to Athlete Burnout
(continued)(continued)
Session OutlineSession Outline
Symptoms of Overtraining and Burnout Symptoms of Overtraining and Burnout
Measuring Burnout Measuring Burnout
Burnout in Sport Professionals Burnout in Sport Professionals
Treating and Preventing Burnout Treating and Preventing Burnout
As the pressure to win increases, athletes and coaches spend more time training and feel more stress—which sometimes leads to overtraining and burnout.
As the pressure to win increases, athletes and coaches spend more time training and feel more stress—which sometimes leads to overtraining and burnout.
The Prevalence ofBurnout and Overtraining
The Prevalence ofBurnout and Overtraining
Periodized TrainingPeriodized Training
Periodized TrainingPeriodized Training
The deliberate strategy of exposing athletes to high-volume and high-intensity training loads that are followed by a lower training load (a rest or taper)
The deliberate strategy of exposing athletes to high-volume and high-intensity training loads that are followed by a lower training load (a rest or taper)
OvertrainingOvertraining
OvertrainingOvertraining
A short cycle of training during which athletes expose themselves to excessive training loads that are near maximum capacity.
A short cycle of training during which athletes expose themselves to excessive training loads that are near maximum capacity.
OvertrainingOvertraining
KEYS —KEYS —One athlete’s overtraining might be another
athlete’s optimal training regime.One athlete’s overtraining might be another
athlete’s optimal training regime.The process of overtraining can result in
positive adaptation and improved performance (positive overtraining) or maladaption and decreased performance (negative over-training).
The process of overtraining can result in positive adaptation and improved performance (positive overtraining) or maladaption and decreased performance (negative over-training).
The Overtraining ProcessThe Overtraining Process
StalenessStaleness
StalenessStaleness
The physiological state of overtraining in which the athlete has difficulty maintaining standard training regimes and can no longer achieve previous performance results
The physiological state of overtraining in which the athlete has difficulty maintaining standard training regimes and can no longer achieve previous performance results
BurnoutBurnout
BurnoutBurnout
A psychophysiological response due to frequent but generally ineffective efforts to meet excessive demands, involving a psychological emotional, and sometimes physical withdrawal from an activity in response to excessive stress or dissatisfaction
A psychophysiological response due to frequent but generally ineffective efforts to meet excessive demands, involving a psychological emotional, and sometimes physical withdrawal from an activity in response to excessive stress or dissatisfaction
Characteristics of BurnoutCharacteristics of Burnout
Exhaustion, both physical and emotional, in the form of lost concern, energy, interest, and trust
Exhaustion, both physical and emotional, in the form of lost concern, energy, interest, and trust
Depersonalization—acting impersonal and unfeeling—in large part due to mental and physical exhaustion
Depersonalization—acting impersonal and unfeeling—in large part due to mental and physical exhaustion
Feeling of low personal accomplishment, low self-esteem, failure, and depression—often visible in low job productivity or a decreased performance level
Feeling of low personal accomplishment, low self-esteem, failure, and depression—often visible in low job productivity or a decreased performance level
Frequency of Overtrainingand Staleness
Frequency of Overtrainingand Staleness
66% of ACC athletes experience some over-training, on average twice a year.
66% of ACC athletes experience some over-training, on average twice a year.
72% of the athletes reported some staleness during their sport season.
72% of the athletes reported some staleness during their sport season.
60% to 64% of runners experience some staleness once a year.
60% to 64% of runners experience some staleness once a year.
(continued)(continued)
30% of sub-elite runners reported staleness. 30% of sub-elite runners reported staleness.
Of swimmers who reported staleness during their freshman year, 90% became stale in one or more subsequent seasons.
Of swimmers who reported staleness during their freshman year, 90% became stale in one or more subsequent seasons.
Swedish athletes training at sport high schools experienced staleness—both individual-sport athletes (48%) and team-sport athletes (30%).
Swedish athletes training at sport high schools experienced staleness—both individual-sport athletes (48%) and team-sport athletes (30%).
Frequency of Overtrainingand Staleness
Frequency of Overtrainingand Staleness
Models of BurnoutModels of Burnout
Cognitive-affective stress modelCognitive-affective stress model
Negative-training stress response modelNegative-training stress response model
Unidimensional identity development and external control model
Unidimensional identity development and external control model
Cognitive-Affective Stress Modelof Burnout (Smith, 1986)
Cognitive-Affective Stress Modelof Burnout (Smith, 1986)
Negative-Training Stress ResponseModel (Silva, 1990)
Negative-Training Stress ResponseModel (Silva, 1990)
Focuses on physical training (but recognizes the importance of psychological factors).
Focuses on physical training (but recognizes the importance of psychological factors).
Physical training stresses the athlete physically and psychologically and can have positive and negative effects.
Physical training stresses the athlete physically and psychologically and can have positive and negative effects.
Positive adaptation (normal overload) is desirable.
Positive adaptation (normal overload) is desirable.
Negative adaptation is undesirable (leads to overtraining, staleness, and burnout).
Negative adaptation is undesirable (leads to overtraining, staleness, and burnout).
Stress is involved in burnout, but it is only a symptom.Stress is involved in burnout, but it is only a symptom.
Unidimensional Identity Developmentand External Control Model
(Coakley, 1992)
Unidimensional Identity Developmentand External Control Model
(Coakley, 1992)
(continued)(continued)
Unidimensional Identity Developmentand External Control Model
(Coakley, 1992)
Unidimensional Identity Developmentand External Control Model
(Coakley, 1992)
(continued)(continued)
1.The structure of highly competitive sport does not allow young athletes to spend enough time with peers outside of sport. This causes young athletes to focus solely on identifying with athletic success, which can be unhealthy, especially when failure or injury occurs.
1.The structure of highly competitive sport does not allow young athletes to spend enough time with peers outside of sport. This causes young athletes to focus solely on identifying with athletic success, which can be unhealthy, especially when failure or injury occurs.
The real causes of burnout (especially in young athletes) are these:The real causes of burnout (especially in young athletes) are these:
Unidimensional Identity Developmentand External Control Model
(Coakley, 1992)
Unidimensional Identity Developmentand External Control Model
(Coakley, 1992)
2.The social worlds of young athletes are organized in such a way that their control and decision making are inhibited.
2.The social worlds of young athletes are organized in such a way that their control and decision making are inhibited.
The real causes of burnout (especially in young athletes) are these:The real causes of burnout (especially in young athletes) are these:
Key Factors Leading toAthlete Burnout
Key Factors Leading toAthlete Burnout
Athletes are starting to train at younger ages. Athletes are starting to train at younger ages.
Training in many sports is virtually year-round. Training in many sports is virtually year-round.
Causes of Burnout inJunior Tennis PlayersCauses of Burnout inJunior Tennis Players
Physical concerns—erratic play, injury, feeling tired
Physical concerns—erratic play, injury, feeling tired
Logistical concerns—travel grind, time demands
Logistical concerns—travel grind, time demands
Social or interpersonal concerns—negative parental influence, negative team atmosphere
Social or interpersonal concerns—negative parental influence, negative team atmosphere
Psychological concerns—inappropriate expectations, feeling a lack of improvement, coach and parental pressure
Psychological concerns—inappropriate expectations, feeling a lack of improvement, coach and parental pressure
Strains in Junior AthletesStrains in Junior Athletes
Social-psychological strain Social-psychological strain
Perfectionistic players, parental or coach pressure
Perfectionistic players, parental or coach pressure
Physically driven strain Physically driven strain
Individual Differences inBurnout Causes
Individual Differences inBurnout Causes
Several specific factors are linked to athlete burnout, from conflicting demands to excessive training loads
Several specific factors are linked to athlete burnout, from conflicting demands to excessive training loads
Factors Related to Athlete BurnoutFactors Related to Athlete Burnout
(See table 21.1 on p. 474 of text.)(See table 21.1 on p. 474 of text.)
Signs of OvertrainingSigns of Overtraining
Apathy Apathy
Lethargy Lethargy
Weight loss Weight loss
Mood changes Mood changes
(See table 21.2 on p. 477 of text.)(See table 21.2 on p. 477 of text.)
Signs of BurnoutSigns of Burnout
Low motivation Low motivation
Lack of caring Lack of caring
Lowered affect Lowered affect
Anxiety Anxiety
(See table 21.2 on p. 477 of text.)(See table 21.2 on p. 477 of text.)
Overtraining and Mood StatesOvertraining and Mood States
Athletes experience increased mood disturbance under especially heavy training workloads. The heavier the workload, the greater the mood disturbance.
Athletes experience increased mood disturbance under especially heavy training workloads. The heavier the workload, the greater the mood disturbance.
Successful athletes exhibit high levels of vigor and low levels of negative mood states, an optimal combination.
Successful athletes exhibit high levels of vigor and low levels of negative mood states, an optimal combination.
Overtrained athletes show an inverted iceberg profile, with negative states pronounced.
Overtrained athletes show an inverted iceberg profile, with negative states pronounced.
Overtrained and stale athletes are at risk of developing mood disturbances, which can result in decreased performance levels and dropout. More is not always better.
Overtrained and stale athletes are at risk of developing mood disturbances, which can result in decreased performance levels and dropout. More is not always better.
Overtraining and PerformanceOvertraining and Performance
Measuring BurnoutMeasuring Burnout
The Maslach Burnout Inventory—a reliable instrument to measure burnout that has been adapted and modified for use in sport and exercise
The Maslach Burnout Inventory—a reliable instrument to measure burnout that has been adapted and modified for use in sport and exercise
Maslach Burnout Inventory subscales Maslach Burnout Inventory subscales
The Maslach Burnout InventoryThe Maslach Burnout Inventory
Emotional exhaustion Emotional exhaustion Depersonalization Depersonalization Personal accomplishments Personal accomplishments
Type A personality Type A personality
Role conflict and ambiguity Role conflict and ambiguity
Athletic trainersAthletic trainers
Factors Related to Burnoutin Trainers and Officials
Factors Related to Burnoutin Trainers and Officials
Making bad calls Making bad calls
Role conflict and ambiguity Role conflict and ambiguity
OfficialsOfficials
Pressure to win Pressure to win
Administrator-parent interference or indifference Administrator-parent interference or indifference
CoachesCoaches
Factors Related to Burnout in CoachesFactors Related to Burnout in Coaches
Disciplinary problems Disciplinary problems
Multiple roles Multiple roles
Extensive travel Extensive travel
Intense personal involvement Intense personal involvement
None have yet been established None have yet been established
Gender differences:Gender differences:
Younger coaches appear to have higher levels of burnout (partly because older coaches have already burned out).
Younger coaches appear to have higher levels of burnout (partly because older coaches have already burned out).
Age and experience differences:Age and experience differences:
Factors Related to Burnout in CoachesFactors Related to Burnout in Coaches
Coaches who are more caring and people-oriented appear to be more vulnerable to burnout.
Coaches who are more caring and people-oriented appear to be more vulnerable to burnout.
Coaching style:Coaching style:
Greater social support is associated with lower burnout.
Greater social support is associated with lower burnout.
Social support:Social support:
Factors Related to Burnout in CoachesFactors Related to Burnout in Coaches
Pressure from coaches or parents Pressure from coaches or parents
Hard training Hard training
Fitness instructors, administrators, and physical education teachersFitness instructors, administrators, and physical education teachers
Factors Related to Burnoutin Sport Professionals
Factors Related to Burnoutin Sport Professionals
Competition over a long period of time Competition over a long period of time
Treating and Preventing BurnoutTreating and Preventing Burnout
1.Set short-term goals for competition and practice.1.Set short-term goals for competition and practice.
2.Communicate your feelings to others.2.Communicate your feelings to others.
3.Take relaxation (time-out) breaks.3.Take relaxation (time-out) breaks.
4.Learn self-regulation skills (e.g., relaxation, imagery, goal setting, self-talk).4.Learn self-regulation skills (e.g., relaxation, imagery, goal setting, self-talk).
(continued)(continued)
Treating and Preventing BurnoutTreating and Preventing Burnout
5.Keep a positive outlook.5.Keep a positive outlook.
6.Manage postcompetition emotions.6.Manage postcompetition emotions.
7.Stay in good physical condition.7.Stay in good physical condition.
Treating and Preventing BurnoutTreating and Preventing Burnout
It’s Not How Hard You Train, It’s How You Recover.It’s Not How Hard You Train, It’s How You Recover.
KEY—KEY—
Treating and Preventing BurnoutTreating and Preventing Burnout
OVERLOAD SOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGYOVERLOAD SOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY
Physical stressorPhysical stressor Nutrition and hydrationEat more carbohydratesStay hydrated
RestNo physical activityPassive restGet sufficient sleep
Nutrition and hydrationEat more carbohydratesStay hydrated
RestNo physical activityPassive restGet sufficient sleep
(continued)(continued)
Treating and Preventing BurnoutTreating and Preventing Burnout
OVERLOAD SOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGYOVERLOAD SOURCE RECOVERY STRATEGY
Psychological/social stressor
Psychological/social stressor
Relaxation and emotional support • Flotation tanks, massage sauna • Time-out • Progressive muscle relaxation • Visualization
Minimize nontraining stressors (e.g., limit work hours)
Thought management strategies • Dissociation (e.g., watch movies) • Negative thought replacement
Relaxation and emotional support • Flotation tanks, massage sauna • Time-out • Progressive muscle relaxation • Visualization
Minimize nontraining stressors (e.g., limit work hours)
Thought management strategies • Dissociation (e.g., watch movies) • Negative thought replacement
Play for your own reason. Play for your own reason.
Reducing Burnoutin Young Tennis Players
Reducing Burnoutin Young Tennis Players
Balance tennis and other things. Balance tennis and other things.
Try to make it fun. Try to make it fun.
Advice for other playersAdvice for other players
Take time off and relax. Take time off and relax.
Recognize what is an optimal amount of “pushing.”
Recognize what is an optimal amount of “pushing.”
Give support, show empathy, and reduce the importance of outcome.
Give support, show empathy, and reduce the importance of outcome.
Involve players in decision making. Involve players in decision making.
Advice for parentsAdvice for parents
Lessen involvement. Lessen involvement.
Reducing Burnoutin Young Tennis Players
Reducing Burnoutin Young Tennis Players
Have two-way communication with players. Have two-way communication with players.
Cultivate personal involvement with players. Cultivate personal involvement with players.
Utilize player input. Utilize player input.
Advice for coachesAdvice for coaches
Understand players’ feelings. Understand players’ feelings.
Reducing Burnoutin Young Tennis Players
Reducing Burnoutin Young Tennis Players
Top Related